The First U.S. History Textbooks
Constructing and Disseminating the American Tale in the Nineteenth Century
By (author) Barry Joyce
Publication date:
27 August 2015Length of book:
350 pagesPublisher
Lexington BooksISBN-13: 9781498502153
This book analyzes the common narrative residing in American History textbooks published in the first half of the 19th century. That story, what the author identifies as the American “creation” or “origins” narrative, is simultaneously examined as both historic and “mythic” in composition. It offers a fresh, multidisciplinary perspective on an enduring aspect of these works. The book begins with a provocative thesis that proposes the importance of the relationship between myth and history in the creation of America’s textbook narrative. It ends with a passionate call for a truly inclusive story of who Americans are and what Americans aspire to become.
The book is organized into three related sections. The first section provides the context for the emergence of American History textbooks. It analyzes the structure and utility of these school histories within the context of antebellum American society and educational practices. The second section is the heart of the book. It recounts and scrutinizes the textbook narrative as it tells the story of America’s emergence from “prehistory” through the American Revolution—the origins story of America. This section identifies the recurring themes and images that together constitute what early educators conceived as a unified cultural narrative. Section three examines the sectional bifurcation and eventual re-unification of the American History textbook narrative from the 1850s into the early 20th century. The book concludes by revisiting the relationship between textbooks, the American story, and mythic narratives in light of current debates and controversies over textbooks, American history curriculum and a common American narrative.
The book is organized into three related sections. The first section provides the context for the emergence of American History textbooks. It analyzes the structure and utility of these school histories within the context of antebellum American society and educational practices. The second section is the heart of the book. It recounts and scrutinizes the textbook narrative as it tells the story of America’s emergence from “prehistory” through the American Revolution—the origins story of America. This section identifies the recurring themes and images that together constitute what early educators conceived as a unified cultural narrative. Section three examines the sectional bifurcation and eventual re-unification of the American History textbook narrative from the 1850s into the early 20th century. The book concludes by revisiting the relationship between textbooks, the American story, and mythic narratives in light of current debates and controversies over textbooks, American history curriculum and a common American narrative.
Joyce traces the construction of the story of America—the creation myth that celebrates US exceptionalism—in the textbooks aimed at children and families in the 19th century. Textbooks tried to unite the citizenry of the republic with consistent stories of providential events and near-divine heroes. A remarkable consensus—even plagiarism—marked these popular works until the overt sectional divisiveness of the 1850s. Some textbooks continued to ignore or downplay slavery; others termed slavery a ‘dark stain’ on the national fabric. Southerners—even teachers in Southern schools—chafed at the dominance of the North in the story and called for a version that honored Southern values and traditions. Although they never achieved that goal during the Civil War or Reconstruction, textbooks again found remarkable consensus by reintegrating the ‘redeemed’ Southerners at the end of the century. A consensus on white supremacy replaced the emphasis on divine will. In the 21st century, the story has fragmented, but even teachers who delight in exposing myths will recognize the ways they repeat the narratives and keep alive many of the characters of those first textbooks. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries.