INTRODUCTION

Despite the rapid industrial changes that are occurring, the poor condition of the country following the devastation of the Civil War, and a steep rise in immigration, education becomes a major force in America towards the end of the nineteenth century. Common and normal schools are flourishing and illiteracy rates drop substantially as education becomes more readily available to the general public. Although education is considered to be of great importance, there are major differences in opinion concerning the purpose of the school and the role of the teacher.

 

Timeline of Important Events:

1871 - Great Chicago Fire

1876 - Centennial Exposition

1876 - Battle of Little Big Horn

1879 - Thomas Edison invents the light bulb

1882 - Chinese Exclusion Act

1885 - Stanford University founded

1885 - Washington Monument completed

1888 - National Geographic Society founded

1890 - Wounded Knee Massacre

1893 - World's Columbian Exposition

1898 - USS Maine explodes