Education Act of 1879

Definition

The Education Act of 1879 was a significant piece of legislation in the United States that aimed to establish a formal system of education for Native American children through government-funded boarding schools. This act sought to assimilate Indigenous youth into Euro-American culture, emphasizing English language instruction and vocational training, often at the expense of their cultural identities and traditional knowledge.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Education Act of 1879 was part of a broader effort during the late 19th century to assimilate Native Americans into American society by providing Western-style education.
2. The act authorized the creation of boarding schools specifically for Native American children, which were often located far from their home communities.
3. The curriculum focused on teaching English language skills, vocational training, and other subjects deemed necessary for assimilation, while Indigenous languages and cultures were often suppressed.
4. This educational approach led to widespread trauma and loss of cultural identity among Native American communities, as children were separated from their families and traditions.
5. The impact of the Education Act of 1879 is still felt today, as many Native American communities continue to grapple with the legacies of forced assimilation and cultural disruption.

Review Questions

• What were the primary goals of the Education Act of 1879 regarding Native American education?
  • The primary goals of the Education Act of 1879 were to establish a formal educational system for Native American children and to promote their assimilation into Euro-American culture. By creating government-funded boarding schools, the act aimed to teach Indigenous youth English language skills, vocational training, and Western values while suppressing their native languages and cultural practices. This approach intended to erase Indigenous identities in favor of a standardized American way of life.
• Analyze how the establishment of boarding schools under the Education Act of 1879 affected Native American communities and their cultural identities.
  • The establishment of boarding schools under the Education Act of 1879 had profound effects on Native American communities, leading to significant cultural disruptions. These schools removed children from their families and communities, which severed intergenerational knowledge transmission and weakened cultural ties. The emphasis on assimilation resulted in the loss of languages, traditions, and identities among students, creating a legacy of trauma that many Indigenous communities are still addressing today.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Education Act of 1879 on modern Native American education systems and cultural revival efforts.
  • The long-term consequences of the Education Act of 1879 are evident in modern Native American education systems, where efforts are being made to revive Indigenous languages and cultures. The legacy of forced assimilation has led to a critical examination of educational practices within Indigenous communities, advocating for culturally relevant curricula that honor traditional knowledge. As many tribes work toward self-determination in education, there is a renewed focus on integrating Indigenous perspectives into learning environments to heal past wounds and empower future generations.

Related terms

Boarding Schools: Residential educational institutions designed to educate and assimilate Native American children into Euro-American culture, often through strict discipline and cultural erasure.

Assimilation Policy: A governmental strategy aimed at integrating Native Americans into mainstream American society by eradicating their cultures, languages, and identities.

Carlisle Indian Industrial School:

One of the first and most famous boarding schools for Native Americans, established in Pennsylvania in 1879, which became a model for other such institutions.