The Context of Civic Education in the United States Around 1900

Abstract

This chapter will provide an overview of civic education in the United States around 1900. It will draw upon existing literature to situate city schools and their subsequent interest in developing civic education for several distinct Progressive Era purposes, such as Americanizing new urban residents, social welfare, training citizens for self-government, and social efficiency. Several influences that contributed to the development of civic education will be discussed, specifically the Americanization movement, the influences of civic groups, the creation of social studies, and the progressive curricular ideologies. The overview of civic education around 1900 and the illustration of both Donnan and Dunn’s association with these influences will provide a framework for understanding chapters three-eight.