Social Reforms

           Recently, we talked about the different reform movements that were happening. Each reform related to a different social problem. The social reforms were the Protestant Revival, Transcendentalism, Temperance, the Education Reform, and the Prison Reform.
           One of the leaders of the Education Reform was a man named Horace Mann. Mann was the elected secretary of the newly-created Massachusetts Board of Education. He also believed that every child could receive an education because their education would be funded by local taxes. This idea is referred to as the Common School Movement.
           In 1846, Mann wrote a letter to the Massachusetts Legislature about the topic of education. Below are two, key paragraphs from the letter.

"Education Document 1: Horace Mann, 1846 to the Massachusetts Legislature

I believe in the existence of a great, immortal, immutable principle of natural law... Which proves the absolute right to an education of every human being that comes into the world; and which, of course, proves the correlative duty of every government to see that the means of that education are provided for all...

Massachusetts is parental in her government. More and more, as year after year rolls by, she seeks to substitute prevention for remedy, and rewards for penalties. She strives to make industry the antidote to poverty, and to counter-work the progress of vice and crime by the diffusion of knowledge and the culture of virtuous principles."

           Mann's obvious stance on this event is that education should be obtainable to everyone. One's gender, social class, beliefs, etc. shouldn't impact the outcome of their education. The purpose that this letter serves is to inform the Legislature the problem with the education programs. It stresses how valuable an education can be by stating that it is the difference between the social classes and an education can squish most crime. When Mann wrote this letter most children were working instead of going to school, along with many others. Those who chose or didn't have the opportunity to go to school received a basic knowledge upon reading, writing, and math. It was thought that, "a good education was reserved for the wealthy who could afford tutors and private schools". The letter teaches you that education isn't being taken as serious as it should be. However, the letter doesn't teach you who was directly involved in the issue. It only states a vague description of "every human being that comes into the world". Also, it doesn't create a complete picture of the historical event because it is vague. It is vague because it was written to an audience of people who were familiar with this topic and didn't need a lot of background information. Mann is trying to convince the legislature to open up the education system though. He states that he believes that, "the correlative duty of the government to see that the means of that education are provided for all". For him to be writing this letter it means that to him, the government isn't doing their jobs. This is a reliable primary source because Horace Mann is documented to have played an intricate role in the Education Reform and the website it comes from specializes in history. Meaning, history is the main focus and is run by true historians.

Sourcing

Mann, Horace. “Education Document 1: Horace Mann, 1846 to the Massachusetts Legislature.” Unveiling History. Accessed January 19, 2015. http://unveilinghistory.org/wp-content/lessons/2013/donohue/B_document-set.pdf.