40 Questions
What is the primary purpose of education, according to the author?
To form the moral characters of men
The author believes that ancient languages are essential for men of business.
False
What type of languages do merchants often require knowledge of?
Foreign living languages
The author believes that education should be the first __________ of a Legislature.
care
Match the following with the type of language they are examples of:
French = Foreign living language Greek = Ancient language English = Domestic language
The author thinks that the current system of education is effective in preserving morals.
False
What type of books does the author think are lacking in schools?
Proper books that are relevant to the students' lives
What does the author admire about the hypothetical great man?
His willingness to make education respectable for the best men
What were the expectations of Americans after the ratification of peace?
Perfect political tranquility
America achieved general tranquility after the ratification of peace.
False
What was the predicted outcome of independence and peace for the laborer?
removal of fears of oppression, lightened burden, and legal security for rights
The statesman in his closet and the _______________ in his addresses to heaven predicted a happy period.
divine
Match the following groups with their predicted outcomes:
Statesman = General tranquility Merchant = Wealth and favorable commerce Laborer = Removal of fears of oppression and legal security Clergyman = Heavenly blessings
The text states that the American Revolution was complete after independence.
False
What was the tendency of the current trade situation in America?
to impoverish both the merchant and the public
What is the description of the relations between States in America?
Jealous and struggling for superiority
What is Noah Webster widely recognized for?
His American Dictionary and The American Speller
Noah Webster was a loyalist to the British crown.
False
What was Noah Webster's goal for American language?
To revise British English into their own American language
Noah Webster wrote that Americans should 'unshackle their _______ and act like independents'.
minds
What was the title of Noah Webster's work published in 1783?
A Grammatical Institute of the English Language
Noah Webster was a driven schoolmaster and language enthusiast.
True
Match the following artists with their works:
James Sharples = Oil portrait of Noah Webster Ellen W. Sharples = Pastel on paper portrait of Noah Webster Noah Webster = A Grammatical Institute of the English Language
What did Noah Webster believe Americans needed to establish and extend?
A national character
What is the primary objective of education in America, according to the excerpt?
To implant the principles of virtue and liberty
The American spelling book is also known as the 'red-back speller'.
False
What is the significance of the early impressions received in life, according to the excerpt?
They usually form the character of individuals, which in turn forms the general character of a nation.
The American national character is not yet fully _______________, according to the excerpt.
formed
Match the following excerpts with their corresponding authors or sources:
On the Education of Youth in America = American Magazine, New York, December 1787 It is the business of Americans... = Library of Congress, 1829 (the “blue-back speller”)
What is the second aspect of education that should be examined, according to the excerpt?
As it is connected with morals and government
The American constitutions of civil government are firmly established, according to the excerpt.
False
What is the ultimate goal of education, according to the excerpt?
To inspire American youth with just and liberal ideas of government and an inviolable attachment to their own country.
What is considered a luxury for young ladies to learn?
French language
Geography is considered an essential subject for young ladies to learn.
True
What is the real merit of a woman, according to the text?
her domestic worth
Before the revolution, it was appropriate to send boys to _______________________ for an education.
Europe
Match the subjects with their importance in female education:
Arithmetic = necessary for every lady Geography = should never be neglected French language = considered a luxury Belles Letters = corresponds with the dispositions of most females
A woman's performance on a harpsichord or her figure in a minuet is a desirable quality in a wife.
False
What is the primary focus of female education, according to the text?
Developing domestic worth and dignity
What is the significance of poetry and fine writing in female education?
to cultivate a taste for delicate sentiments
Study Notes
Noah Webster and American Identity
- Noah Webster was a Patriot who urged Americans to create their own identity, character, and manners after independence.
- He believed in revising British English to create an American language.
The Importance of Education
- Education is crucial for shaping the character of individuals and the nation as a whole.
- It should be the first care of the Legislature, including the institution of schools and furnishing them with good teachers.
- Education should focus on imparting virtue, liberty, and a sense of country, rather than solely on arts and sciences.
American Character and Identity
- American youth should focus on learning their own language, rather than classical languages like Greek and Latin.
- Foreign languages like French, Italian, Spanish, and German are only necessary for merchants and others who deal with international trade.
- American education should prioritize morals, virtue, and patriotism over classical knowledge.
Women's Education
- Women should be taught to speak and write their own language with purity and elegance.
- Arithmetic, geography, and belles-lettres are important subjects for women to study.
- Music, drawing, and dancing are secondary pursuits for women, as their true merit lies in domestic virtues.
The Dangers of Sending Boys to Europe for Education
- Sending American boys to Europe for education was suitable before the revolution, but not after independence.
- This practice undermines American identity and should be discontinued.
America's Post-Revolution Disillusionment
- The American Revolution's promises of tranquility, freedom, and prosperity have not been fully realized.
- Instead, the country is plagued by civil wars, factions, and economic woes.
- The illusion of perfect tranquility and peace has vanished, and the nation is faced with the harsh realities of independence.
This quiz covers primary sources from the American Revolution era, including excerpts from Noah Webster's essays on American identity. Test your knowledge of this significant period in American history.
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