[PDF] Americanization Through Education eBook

Author : Jeffrey Mirel
Publisher : Harvard University Press
Page : 388 pages
File Size : 41,1 MB
Release : 2010-04-30
Category : Education
ISBN : 9780674046382

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In this book, leading historian of education Jeffrey E. Mirel retells a story we think we know, in which public schools forced a draconian Americanization on the great waves of immigration of a century ago. Ranging from the 1890s through the World War II years, Mirel argues that Americanization was a far more nuanced and negotiated process from the start, much shaped by immigrants themselves.Drawing from detailed descriptions of Americanization programs for both schoolchildren and adults in three cities (Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit) and from extensive analysis of foreign-language newspapers, Mirel shows how immigrants confronted different kinds of Americanization. When native-born citizens contemptuously tried to force them to forsake their home religions, languages, or histories, immigrants pushed back strongly. While they passionately embraced key aspects of Americanization—the English language, American history, democratic political ideas, and citizenship—they also found in American democracy a defense of their cultural differences. In seeing no conflict between their sense of themselves as Italians, or Germans, or Poles, and Americans, they helped to create a new and inclusive vision of this country.Mirel vividly retells the epic story of one of the great achievements of American education, which has profound implications for the Americanization of immigrants today.

Author : Loren Stiles Minckley
Publisher : Theclassics.Us
Page : 68 pages
File Size : 47,93 MB
Release : 2013-09
Category :
ISBN : 9781230458175

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 edition. Excerpt: ... THREE ITALIANS PREPARING FOR CITIZENSHIP. years before the second or final papers can be taken. During this time the person can become better acquainted with the laws of this country and learn certain conditions of our government. After the Constitution has been read and written in their note books and studied questions are given bearing on all phases of the Constitution. The Constitution should be so well understood and made a part of their lives that they will be able to answer the questions without much trouble. The teacher must not look for perfection, for if he does he will be disappointed to a greater or less extent, for after he has explained and worked to make things plain it is surprising how things will become tangled when they attempt to tell them in the English language. They may understand fairly well in their own language but become terribly confused when they try to express it in English. The teacher must ever bear in mind that these men are trying to learn and at the same time working hard all day to support a family and send their children to school that they may grow to be loyal citizens of this country. The personal work and social contact with them for three nights in the week in the night school has been of much value. "Wilson's Naturalization Laws of the United States," by Calvert Wilson, Los Angeles, California, is one of the many good books in circulation to aid in the Americanization process. CHAPTER X. EXPERIENCES OF OUR GRADUATES IN THE MINES AND IN COLLEGES. We will now follow a few members of this class which started twelve years ago in the primary department and have gone through the entire course together sharing each other's joys and sorrows. They have now come to a place where for the first time each has...