Revolutionary America the Establishment of Term Paper

Education is a social system in itself, influencing the landscape of society, defining a nation's people based on the kind of education available to them. In looking over the important documents on the educational systems established during the inception of an independent America, Benjamin Rush's works provided a "glimpse" into the dynamics of education taking place in American society during the late 18th to mid-19th centuries.

Benjamin Rush wrote two important documents discussing issues on the educational system in America. One document focused on the issue of the public school system, and the other centered on the issue of female education.

In "A plan for the establishment of public schools," Rush proposed that an effective educational system will be established in the country if this educational system will be based on religion. In arguing his point, Rush posited that this need is based on the fact that the new nation needs education that will help the youth develop holistically and more importantly, with morals. It is through Christianity that the author found the answer to the nation's problem of educating its youth, stating:

the only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in RELIGION. Without this, there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments...the religion I men to recommend in this place, is the religion of Jesus Christ.

Ultimately, in proposing the establishment of the public school educational system in the country, Rush also proposes a government that puts religion at a significant place in its policy-making and nation-building. Rush's work reveals the nature of Americans during its early republican state: they relied heavily on religion as their primary guidance in creating a morally upright society, while maintaining the tenets of democracy and freedom that must be known of America as a nation and independent country.

In terms of female education, Rush in his essay, "Thoughts upon female education" assumed a radical stance in justifying his proposal on why women should be allowed to have education in America. Comparing the state of the women sector between Britain and America, the author noted the significant difference between the nations, arguing that in British society, women are relegated to insignificant and minor roles in the society, with the purpose of preventing women from "improving their minds and thereby secure a more arbitrary and unlimited authority over them." Rush proposed, then, that to eliminate this dysfunction that he observed in English society, America must educate its women, 'as an experiment,' in order to 'elevate the female mind,' "by means of moral, physical, and religious truth...for a weak and ignorant woman will always be governed with the greatest difficulty." It is through this last statement in Rush's essay that revealed, again, his belief in the development of Americans as individuals to ensure the implementation of an effective government, with effective governance of its people. It is Rush's belief that a nation with educated citizens shall make governance run smoothly, making the establishment of independent America a reality and success.