Colonial Period

1600 - 1779

"The general trend of educational development during the Colonial period was away from domination by theological orthodoxies and European traditions of class structure toward more liberal, secular, more utilitarian, and more democratic conceptions. Although the movement in this direction had not been great by the time of the founding of the Republic, the course for the future was set. And while the institutions that were established for the education of adults were crude indeed, they were the seeds of which we are now enjoying the fruits." From Knowles, M. (1977 ). A History of the Adult Education Movement in the United States. Huntington, NY: Robert E. Krieger Publishing, p. 11

 

 "Native American culture existed before European settlement, and it promoted the settlers survival. Nevertheless, the lack of written documentation has encouraged denigration of Native American culture. Some contemporary European testimony to Indians' skills and knowledge base (aside from the evangelists' could be educated in the Christian faith) has, however, come down to us. Today there is a growing interest in pre-literate societies and in oral history, but non-Native American historians are still constrained by questions of documentation. When English settlers arrived and proceeded to establish what were to become the thirteen colonies, the formative influences, essentially those of the (Protestant) English, reflected a growing shift from church to state in the nature and control of education." From: Stubblefield, H. & Keane, P. (1994). Adult Education in the American Experience: From the Colonial to the Present. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, p. 16.

Three forces which helped to produce an educational consciousness during the colonial period:

  1. Many immigrants were part of political and religious minority groups and saw America as a land of opportunity--this created a readiness for learning.
  2. Protestantism was strong and there was great emphasis placed on being able to read the Bible.
  3. Puritans insisted on education because they believed that ignorance led to idleness and idleness was a great sin.

 

Who Was Providing Adult Education During This Period?

Private Vocational Schools

Libraries

Secondary Schools

Town Meetings

Apprenticeships

Agricultural Societies

Common Schools

Churches

Universities

The Junto

 

Important Events in AE During the Colonial Period

1636 Harvard College is founded.

1644 - 1790s Ideas for agricultural societies and education develops.

1653 Robert Keayne donates a collection of books to the people of Boston; in 1673 a subscription library is created and is opened to the public.

1704 The Boston News Letter, the first newspaper, starts publication.

1716 The first theater is built in Williamsburg, VA.

1727 Benjamin Franklin starts discussion group called the Junto with 11 friends. The American Philosophical Society, Franklin Institute, and the University of Pennsylvania are offshoots of discussions by the Junto.

1731 Benjamin Franklin opens the Library Association of Philadelphia.

1740s The Quakers begin advocating the abolishment of slavery.

1775 - 1783 Events of the Revolutionary War take place.

1776 Declaration of Independence is ratified on July 4th.