Verified Document

Public School Education In 1850 Enabled The Term Paper

Public school education in 1850 enabled the spread of learning writing, reading and arithmetic for a population that had previously been skilled and semiskilled workers. History at one point in educational history became a required course to help encourage ideas such as patriotism (Henretta). Among the other subjects emphasized during the 1800's were likely topics such as loyalty oaths and obedience in an effort to discipline children enrolled in public schools and increase American feelings of democracy and freedom. Of relevance to our studies are the population demographics of public schools during 1850. A pattern is very apparent related to the number of students actually enrolled in public schools during this time compared with total population. This pattern is reflective of the geographical and social setting of the states during 1850. Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York had the highest percentage of pupils enrolled in public schools during 1850 (Census, 1850). They also had the largest number of public schools. The fewest? Minnesota, California, numbers. Compared to the total population of the states, the following states had the highest percentage of pupils enrolled compared to total population in the state: Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Connecticut, New Jersey, Vermont and New York also had higher percentages of pupils enrolled (Census, 1850). What is more telling that the highest percentages of pupils enrolled however, is examination of the states with the lowest percentage of students enrolled.
Across the board the text reveals that almost all southern states, Whether as little south as Virginia to as far south as Georgia and Florida, and inclusive of states such as Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas, the fewest percentages of pupils were enrolled in public schools. To understand this one must examine the economy of the era of 1850. It must be noted that the largest percentage of enrolled students was noted in northern New England states during the time. It was in these states that the "hubbub" of modern day society was occurring.

Big business and prosperity was being formed. It was important for children to obtain an education as a means of finding gainful and meaningful employment. Many factories were filled with workers (Henretta). New England may be considered the "land of opportunity" during the time. Unskilled and semi-skilled workers and immigrants had traveled far in the hopes of obtaining a better life. Education provided a means to do so.

In the South, people were still struggling with issues of slavery and plantations. People were primarily agriculturists and farmers living off of the land. Many children lived on plantations and…

Sources used in this document:
The Henretta text often refers to this time in American history as somewhat romanticized. Many writers became well-known, their stories a means for citizens to escape a mundane life. The expanding country was becoming slowly more urbanized and industrialized, but it was evidently a pattern that was occurring from the top down, and from east to west. The southern states would slowly catch up to the New England States, as would the West slowly become as populous and crowded as the East Coast. But during 1850 at least, the gap existed between a more urban setting and the still more rural south, which likely acted as the largest contributor to the population demographics of public schools during 1850. Likewise, the population of students enrolled in public schools would increase in the west as America expanded and spread its wings.

Primary Source: Henretta, James. "America, a Concise History." 2nd Edition, Bedford: St. Martins Press

Historical Census Data for 1850 http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-local/censusbin/census/cen.pl?year=850 http://www.ekkane.org/sawin/raisng1.htm
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

School Shootings As a Natural Escalation of
Words: 1726 Length: 6 Document Type: Term Paper

School Shootings as a Natural Escalation of Less Lethal, Juvenile Violence The issue of youth violence is one very much in the news since the Columbine High School shootings and the other incidents of schoolyard violence that have occurred with grisly regularity over the last several years. But while such shooting sprees are perhaps the most striking example of people under the age of 18 intentionally committing violent acts against other

Academic Profile of Home Schoolers a Case Study
Words: 16937 Length: 62 Document Type: Case Study

Academic Profile of Home Schooling - a Case Study Home Schooling vs. Traditional Educational Methods Home Schooling Methodology Focus of the Practicum Culture Area of Inquiry Subject/Topic Areas Home Schooling as an Alternative Curricula and Materials Used for Home Schooling The Success of Home Schooling Evaluation Design Conditions for Change Timeline Chronology Legislative Information: Maryland: A Legal Analysis State Laws and Regulations - Maryland Goulart and Travers vs. Calvert County Home-schooled Kids Find Social Growth" Home Schoolers in the Trenches" Home School Academic Advantage Increases Over Time" Home Schooling." ERIC Digest,

Court Case Historically, Gaines V.
Words: 3457 Length: 10 Document Type: Term Paper

But if Houston insisted that Plessy be enforced that is, if the NAACP sued a state to make its schools for black children equal to those for whites which Plessy did require then he could undermine segregation. (Jomills Henry Braddock. A Long-Term View of School Desegregation: Some Recent Studies of Graduates as Adults. Phi Delta Kappan. 259-61. 1984) He reasoned that states would either have to build new schools for

Civil Rights Movement in America
Words: 2291 Length: 6 Document Type: Term Paper

The milestone that the Civil Rights Movement made as concerns the property ownership is encapsulated in the Civil Rights Act of 1968 which is also more commonly referred to as the Fair Housing Act, or as CRA '68. This was as a follow-up or reaffirmation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discussed above. It is apparent that the Civil Rights Act of 1866 outlawed discrimination in property and housing there

Inuktitut Inuit's Language in Modern Inuit Communities in Northern...
Words: 3303 Length: 10 Document Type: Term Paper

Inuktitut in Modern Inuit Communities in Northern Canada The role of language in identity construction of the Inuit in Nunavik (Quebec, Canada), which nourishes the evolution of their ethno-territorial movement in the eastern Canadian Arctic, had been around since the 1970s. This paper is an analysis of the legal-political context of the Quebec State then enables the detachment of the cornerstones of its policy speech in general, and finally those with

Muhammad Ali in Egypt and the Influence
Words: 14314 Length: 48 Document Type: Dissertation or Thesis complete

Muhammad Ali in Egypt and the Influence of Napoleon Services and Mission of Muhammad Ali Pasha Reforms under the Regime of Muhammad Ali Pasha Societal Reforms Education Reforms Westernization Economic Reforms Agricultural Reforms Political Reforms Political Reforms Economic Strengthening Activities to Make Egypt Self Sufficient Muhammad Ali the Father of Modern Egypt AFU Armed Forces Union CGS Chief of the General Staff CUP the Committee of Union and Progress Dev-Sol Revolutionary Left Dev-Yol Revolutionary Way D-SK Confederation of Unions of Revolutionary Workers DP Democrat Party EEC or EC European

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now