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1492
European Arrivals to America
Europeans began arriving in the American to establish a new life for themselves. They came to flee religious persecution and found new financial opportunities. The settling of America was the initial step in the American Revolution (Rury, 2016). -
Massachusetts Bay Colony Founded
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded in 1629 by Protestants. The members of the colony believed that education was important so that individuals who read the bible (Rury, 2016). -
Harvard College Established
Harvard College was established in Massachusetts. The purpose was to train future religious leaders in the colony (Rury, 2016). -
Old Deluder Satan Law
The state of Massachusetts established a law that required localities with 50 or more families must create a school. Although schooling was a decisive issue at the time, the idea of formal education because more important (Rury, 2016). -
Yale College Established
Yale College was created in 1701 in Connecticut. The purpose of the school was to train students for the ministry and other leadership roles (Rury, 2016). -
The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening brought forth a new focus on literacy in order to be able to read religious texts. Additionally, the importance of educating women was held by many contemporaries of this time (Rury, 2016). -
Princeton University Founded
Princeton University was founded in New Jersey. Like other institutions at the time, it was founded to prepare young people to become community and religious leaders (Rury, 2016). -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was signed where the colonies declared independence from England. The words "all men are created equal" motivated many to include women in schooling (Rury, 2016). -
Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge
Thomas Jefferson proposed the establishment of free schools throughout Virginia that aimed develop leaders to lead the new nation. Although the plan was never formally adopted, it reflected the value of schooling held my many of Jefferson's contemporaries (Rury, 2016). -
The New York African Free School Established
The New York African Free School was established to educate the children of formal slaves about morality. The purpose was to reform the poor in order to prevent the children from learning habits and behaviors from their formerly enslaved family members (Rury, 2016). -
Benjamin Rush's Female Academy of Philadelphia
Benjamin Rush firmly believed that women should be educated. Rush established the Female Academy of Philadelphia which taught women traditional school subjects in addition to domestic topics that aimed to help the woman support her household (Rury, 2016). -
Northwest Ordinance
The Second Continental Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance which sold federal land to raise funds for education. This established education as an important function of the government (Rury, 2016).