Key Developments in American Education and Culture

Secondary Education

One of the most noteworthy advances in education.

Kindergarten

First opened in St. Louis.

90% Literacy Rate

By this time, 90% of Americans were literate.

Francis Bellamy

Wrote the Pledge of Allegiance.

Morrill Act

Provided land to each state for public colleges.

Realism

Literary movement depicting life as it was.

Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain)

Most famous local-color writer; wrote Huckleberry Finn.

Lewis Wallace

Wrote Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Charles Monroe Sheldon

Wrote In His Steps.

Walt Whitman

Influential American poet.

Sidney Lanier

Most accomplished poet of the South.

Emily Dickinson

Wrote 2,000 poems, published posthumously.

Naturalism

Literary movement portraying man as little more than an animal.

Jack London

Most successful naturalist writer.

Jefferson Davis

Wrote The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government.

Jubal A. Early

Founded the Southern Historical Society.

Tonalism

Art style somewhat similar to Romanticism.

James Whistler

Popularized tonalism.

Frederic Remington

Best-known Western painter.

Currier and Ives

Produced prints depicting American life.

Thomas Nast

"Father of the American Cartoon."

Stick Style

Architectural style.

Shingle Style

Another architectural style.

Louis Sullivan

"Father of the Modern Skyscraper"; known for "form follows function."

City Beautiful Movement

A movement focused on improving the appearance of American cities.

John Philip Sousa

Famous marching band conductor.

Fanny Crosby

Most prolific hymn writer.

Chautauqua Movement

Interest movement for adult education.

Temperance Movement

Movement against alcohol.

National Prohibition Party

Political party advocating prohibition.

Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)

Organization fighting for prohibition.

Frances Willard

Most dynamic leader of the WCTU.

Alcohol Education

Frances Willard pushed for alcohol awareness in schools.

Joseph Pulitzer

Influential newspaper publisher.

Pulitzer Prizes

Prestigious awards for journalism and writing.

William Randolph Hearst

Prominent newspaper publisher.