08 - History of the United States, Vol. I by Charles Austin Beard, Mary Ritter Beard

Charles Austin Beard stands as one of the most pivotal American historians of the early 20th century, having penned hundreds of influential monographs, textbooks, and interpretive studies in history and political science. A proud graduate of DePauw University in 1898, he met and later married Mary Ritter Beard, a trailblazer in womens rights and one of the founders of Kappa Alpha Theta. Many of their works were collaborative efforts, reflecting their shared passions for feminism and labor movements, as seen in her notable book, *Woman as a Force in History* (1946). In 1921, the Beards released their groundbreaking *History of the United States*, which was praised for its innovative approach, treating topics thematically rather than chronologically. This method allowed for an exploration of movements, background contexts, and the interconnectedness of social, economic, and political forces. Their goal was to empower students to grasp the essence of American society and its place within global civilization. The books clarity and engaging style have established it as a top-tier resource for both students and the general public.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please
visit LibriVox dot org. History of the United States by
Charles A. Beard and Mary Ridder Beard, Part one, Section
seven Schools and Colleges, Religion and local Schools. One of

(00:25):
the first cares of each Protestant denomination was the education
of the children in the faith. In this work, the
Bible became the center of interest. The English version was
indeed the one book of the people, farmers, shopkeepers, and
artisans whose life had once been bounded by the daily
routine of labor. Found in the scriptures not only an
inspiration to religious conduct, but also a book of romance,

(00:49):
travel and history, quote, legend and annal end quote says
John Richard Greene, quote warsong and psalm, state role and biography.
The mighty voices of prophets, the parables of evangelists, stories
of mission, journeys, of perils by sea, and among the
heathen philosophic arguments apocalyptic visions. All were flung broadcast over minds,

(01:14):
unoccupied for the most part by any rival. Learning as
a mere literary monument, the English version of the Bible
remains the noblest example of the English tongue. It was
the King James version just from the press, that the
pilgrims brought across the sea with them, for the authority
of the established church was substituted the authority of the scriptures.

(01:35):
The Puritans devised a catechism based upon their interpretation of
the Bible, and very soon after their arrival in America,
they ordered all parents and masters of servants to be
diligent in seeing that their children and wards were taught
to read religious works and give answers to the religious questions.
Massachusetts was scarcely twenty years old before education of this

(01:57):
character was declared to be compulsory, and vision was made
for public schools where those not taught at home could
receive instruction in reading and writing. Illustration a page from
a famous school book. In Adam's Fall, We send All
Heaven defined the Bible mind, Christ crucified for sinners died,
The deluge drowned the earth around Elijah hid by ravens

(02:21):
fed the judgment made Felix afraid and illustration. Outside of
New England, the idea of compulsory education was not regarded
with the same favor. But the whole land was nevertheless
dotted with little schools kept by dames, itinerant teachers, or
local parsons. Whether we turn to the life of Franklin

(02:41):
in the north or Washington in the south, we read
of tiny school houses where boys and sometimes girls were
taught to read and write. Where there were no schools,
fathers and mothers of the better kind gave their children
the rudiments of learning. Though illiteracy was widespread, there is
evidence to show that the diffusion of knowledge among the

(03:02):
masses was making steady progress. All through the eighteenth century
religion and higher learning. Religious motives entered into the establishment
of colleges as well as local schools. Harvard, founded in
sixteen thirty six, and Yale, opened in seventeen eighteen, were
intended primarily to train learned and godly ministers for the

(03:24):
Puritan churches of New England to the far north. Dartmouth,
chartered in seventeen sixty nine, was designed first as a
mission to the Indians, and then as a college for
the sons of New England farmers preparing to preach, teach,
or practice law. The College of New Jersey, organized in
seventeen forty six and removed to Princeton eleven years later,

(03:46):
was sustained by the Presbyterians. Two colleges looked to the
established church as their source of inspiration and support. William
and Mary founded in Virginia in sixteen ninety three and
King's College now Columbia Universe City, chartered by King George
the Second in seventeen fifty four on an appeal from
the New York Anglicans. Alarmed at the growth of religious

(04:08):
descent and the Republican tendencies of the age. Two colleges
revealed a drift away from sectarianism. Brown established in Rhode
Island in seventeen sixty four, and the Philadelphia Academy, forerunner
of the University of Pennsylvania, organized by Benjamin Franklin, reflected
the spirit of toleration by giving representation on the board

(04:29):
of trustees to several religious sects. It was Franklin's idea
that his college should prepare young men to serve in
public office, as leaders of the people and ornaments to
their country. Self education in America important. As were these
institutions of learning, higher education was by no means confined

(04:50):
within their walls. Many well to do families sent their
sons to Oxford or Cambridge in England. Private tutoring in
the home was common in still more families. There intelligent
children who grew up in the great colonial school of adversity,
and who trained themselves until in every contest of mind
and wit they could vibe with the sons of Harvard,
or William and Mary, or any other college. Such, for example,

(05:13):
was Benjamin Franklin, whose charming autobiography, in addition to being
an American classic, is a fine record of self education.
His formal training in the classroom was limited to a
few years at a local school in Boston, but his
self education continued throughout his life. He early manifested a
zeal for reading, and devoured, he tells us, his father's

(05:34):
dry library on theology, Bunyan's works, Defoe's writings, Plutarch's Lives,
locks on the human understanding, and innumerable volumes dealing with
secular subjects. His literary style perhaps the best of his time.
Franklin acquired by the diligent and repeated analysis of the spectator.
In a life crowded with labors, he found time to

(05:56):
read widely in natural science and to win single handed way,
recognition at the hands of European savants for his discoveries
in electricity. By his own efforts, he attained an acquaintance
with Latin, Italian, French, and Spanish, thus unconsciously preparing himself
for the day when he was to speak for all
America at the court of the King of France. Lesser

(06:18):
lights than Franklin, educated by the same process were found
all over colonial America. From this fruitful source of native ability,
self educated, the American cause grew great strength in the
trials of the Revolution. End of Section seven.