A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum “looks at life around the schoolhouse in the 19th century.” NPR and Museum Director Betsy Broun have some very spurious ideas about American education in the 19th century.
1. NPR says, “The whole idea of universal, free education was an invention of the 1820s and 30s. Before then, children were taught at home or in church.”
Universal, free education as an invention of the 1820s and 1830s? No way. And NPR does not mention that, before the 1820s and 1830s, children were also taught in private schools and academies, proprietary schools, mechanics institutes, old field schools, military academies, and colleges.
2. Broun says, “Suddenly it occurred to people that, ‘Gosh, if we’re going to continue a democracy we’re going to have to educate a population.'”
Suddenly? These debates were going on throughout the 18th century in England and in America. One does not need to look further than the dissenting academies in England and their various offspring in America to witness a vibrant debate about the role of education in preserving liberty.
3. NPR argues, “After the Civil War, there was much discussion about educating former slaves and their children. Education was seen then — as now — as a path to success.”
Wow, there is a lot more to it than that. I will defer to Troy Kickler, who is the director of the North Carolina History Project and an expert in Reconstruction social history.
