America has set a precedent in global history that other countries would eventually follow. Americans themselves have been regarded as the most patriotic for their country, and egotistical at that. Now when it comes to pride and confidence, one must have something to support their claims and beliefs. In America’s case, we have one of the largest economies on the planet, and one of the strongest militaries as well. How ever, one thing doesn’t seem to add up. In order to be one of the strongest economic powers, as well as militaristic. You would need very well educated citizens running the system, ranging from bank tellers, to stock investors. And even corporals, lieutenant, and sergeants need some form of proper education. Then why is it that time and time again, foreign countries are dominating us in the education field? …show more content…
The lingering desire is to become better than the rest, and to be on top. This philosophical ideology stems all the way back to the American Dream of becoming someone big and impactful. Even connections to Manifest Destiny exist in the adjustments that could be made to our education system. This essay shall correlate where Americans need to step up their game, and how we can fix current issues lurking in our education system that lead to our inferiority compared to other nations. Simply put, the American Education System is filled with flaws, and as the generation of tomorrow, students deserve the right to organize our educational
One of the history's greatest figures, Nelson Mandela, once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Over the course of years, this statement has only become more relevant. Maybe that is the reason why the topic of the decline of the American education has been recently spurring such a heated debate among national academic and teaching communities. In “The Chronicle of Higher Education”, Carl Singleton, a faculty member at Fort Hays State University, also presented his reflections concerning the U.S. education system.
Manifest Destiny is the belief created by John O'Sullivan in 1845. This means the United States was meant to expand from coast to coast. There were many factors and events that supported this belief and made it happen. These include the Louisiana purchase on April 30th, 1803. The Louisiana purchase helped the united states double its size by purchasing current day Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and part of Colorado, South Dakota, Minnesota, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.
On April 24, 1846, a Mexican army attacked American troops with no motive on U.S. soil. The United States of America was right in declaring war on Mexico because of Manifest Destiny, Mexico being aggressive, and Mexico being the ones to attack first. The first reason is Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny is the idea that God wanted America to extend its territory further West to the Pacific Ocean, which President James K. Polk believed in.
Prior to the War for Independence, the colonists began to cobble together an ideology that would become known as Revolutionary Republicanism from British political thought, the theories of the Enlightenment and their own experiences that would shape the nation’s ideas on freedom and liberty. (Nash, et al., 2007. , p. 143) Coupling this school of thought with the rise of utopian communities like Oneida and the Shakers, which they themselves, drew upon the earlier ideas of Puritan and Quaker utopianism. (Nash, et al., 2007.
As few know, the very root cause of all the Pre-Civil War events was Manifest Destiny, a powerful and ruthless belief that had changed the course of history. Manifest Destiny caused the US to go for a greater goal that scarred others, driving all Natives off their land and expand until every other country knew of their power. They went from protecting newly freed countries, to taking all important possessions from the natives before them. The belief of the US to expand all over North America and be seen as a powerful nation has caused their minds to want more and more of what is around them, land.
During the 1840s, the number of Americans ventured west into Texas, Oregon, and California increased. The states consumed the sense that the destiny was to authorized a nation that can comprised both coasts. President Andrew Jackson had attacked to buy California for $3.5 million in the year of 1835; however, Mexico had rejected the offered from Jackson. The word “Manifest Destiny” means in the 19th century concept that the expansion of the United State throughout the American continents was both justified and inexorable. “Manifest Destiny” was used in the mid of 1840s, yet I believed I can still see evidence of attitude even before the phrase was used.
Manifest Destiny led the early Americans to the Pacific, but the European Age of Imperialism influenced the United States to start to search beyond its continental borders to grow economically. As demonstrated by westward expansion, economic interests dictated political decision-making. Not only in government, but in the military as well. Rear Admiral Alfred Mahan saw the US Navy as the protector of American sea-trade routes. Without a strong navy, American trade could not reach its full potential.
Intro: The wild west or west Texas, land coveted by the Americans who believe in Manifest destiny, but guarded by natives who wish to keep their homeland. On this frontier is a series of stories worthy of Shakespeare filled with bravery, danger, tragedy, and confusion. These are those stories. Will: Before the Civil war the frontier was practically owned by the white man, and the Native Americans were almost driven out.
If you were to change something about the education system in the U.S, what would you change? How would you critique the quality of education? Education historian Diane Ravitch answers these questions in her excerpt that was published in 2014, “The Essentials of a Good Education.” In her text Ravitch argues that the education system is flawed and that the vision of a good education is unfair and unequal. Ravitch supports her claim by providing examples of the negative effects of the educational system and using historical context.
Between 1830 and 1860, Manifest Destiny and territorial expansion did more to divide America than it did to unite. While it was not the main for the divide of America that was shown in the South’s secession from the United States, it brought up many issues that ultimately led to the Civil War. These issues are shown in the annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War that resulted from that, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Until 1836, the area of Texas was controlled by the Republic of Mexico and was a distant and irrelevant piece of land in most American’s minds. A few Americans had emigrated there from the South at the invitation of the Mexican government, but not many.
Leonid Fridman characterizes the typical American mindset this makes the text easily understood and relatable for the readers. Because the problem at hand is mainly geared toward Americans he brings up the fact that, “In most industrialized nations, not least of all of our economic rivals in East Asia, a kid who studies hard is lauded and held up as an example to other students.” He is showing the reader that in other countries they praise the children for their academic efforts unlike the US that use derogatory language like “nerd” and “geek” when referring to the academically achieving people. He also compares the jobs of individuals from other countries to show the divide between the American mindset and the mindset around the world. Fridman states “In many parts of the world university professorships are the most prestigious and materially rewarding positions but not in America…” Friedman says this so the readers are aware of the rift between America and other countries of the world especially their view of intellectual
The idea of classroom causing problems for America’s society is elaborated when President Johnson explains that many children in America don’t have enough money to afford school. “There your children’s lives will be shaped. Our society will not be great until every young mind is set free to scan the farthest reaches of thought and imagination.” In order for a society to be great, education is the foundation; schools are where child learn about their world, and what it is they will do in the future to earn money to live a good life. And to better prove his idea Johnson states, “Each year more than 100,000 high school graduates, with proved ability, do not enter college because they cannot afford it,” then questions what will happen in years when time has become elapsed to conclude any efforts are needed to come into play for there to be a Great Society.
America’s educational institutions continue to evolve in order to provide “the one best system” that will benefit students in their present and future educational endeavors. The One Best System written by David B. Tyack, interprets the challenges and criticisms of America’s beginning formal education institutions as well as discusses how the solutions were used to perpetuate existing power structures and social classes to shape education entirely. As the idea of educating America’s children began to spread, schools were viewed as a community due to the tightly knit groups that were formed among individuals. Community members believed that educational institutions were an opportunity for social amusement as they provided social contact with
In the article, “Anti-Intellectualism and the “Dumbing Down” of America” Ray Williams discusses the increasing trend of anti-intellectualism in American culture. There is an anti-intellectualism that exists in American culture that is the result of the unpopularity of being smart in High School, the lack of the importance of teachers in the U.S. compared to Japan and the effect of reality TV and pop culture. Williams indicates that one of the reasons that anti-intellectualism exists is that education in the United States is not as strong as it once was. Williams says, “After leading the world for decades in 24-34 year olds with university degrees, the U.S. is now in 12th place. The World Economic Forum ranked the U.S. at 52nd among 139 nations
As Americans, we view the Constitution as a stepping stone to making the great country we live in today. Yet, we the people of the United States failed to realize another component in order to form a perfect union. Which is to establish and promote equal opportunities for a quality education for all. However, we live in a society where social locators such as class, gender, and race are huge factors in the determination of one’s educational future.