History Resources

Inside the Vault: 1796 Civics Textbook

by Gilder Lehrman Institute Staff

On July 6, 2023, our curators were joined by Dr. Adam Laats (Binghamton University) to discuss the 1796 book A Plain Political Catechism Intended for the Use of Schools in the United States of America. The program explored the rising anxieties about the best ways to educate citizens in the early republic. The format of this civics textbook in the question-and-answer style of catechism reflects one way these concerns were addressed. 

Download the slides from the program here. 

FEATURED DOCUMENTS

USE THE TIMESTAMPS BELOW TO JUMP TO THE TOPIC YOU WANT TO VIEW

  • 3:07–5:59: Today’s Documents
  • 6:00–7:39: A Deep Republican Anxiety
  • 7:40–15:08: The Question of Education
  • 15:09–21:24 Civics for a New Republic
  • 21:25–39:28: Republic or Tyranny?
  • 39:29–45:02: Infidels or Citizens?
  • 45:03–46:45: Lancaster Schooling
  • 46:46–49:14: Joseph Lancaster Papers
  • 49:15–59:37: Q&A

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