Yannel M.

Villaber
2004-78382
MAEd Social Studies

Chapter Four
War and the War on Social Studies

Preparing students to give lives for democracy became a very real purpose for many
educators(p.70)

1939
Rugg Controversy

Textbooks Critics
 1930’s sales  Communist propaganda
 20,000 per year  Sense of large outcry
 Created unified Social Studies  Reality 8 states were critical led by NY
program and NJ
 Problem-centered instruction  Few countries removed books
 Leading Social Studies educator  Unsuccessful in removal of texts

1940
National Defense Advisory Commission
 Educators prepared defense workers
 10 week courses to 150,000

National Coordinating Commission on Education

 Consisted of 55 Educational Organizations
 By November, 1940 one million defense workers
 Vocational Training increased to unprecented levels

1942-1943

1944
Wesley Committee
Response to Alan Nevines attack on Social Studies
Nevines Edgar B. Wesley
 American History not being taught  American History was included in
well Social Studies
  Undermined Patriotism & unity of
country
 26 states had legal requirements
 Lack of American History in Higher
Education
NYT Survey
 7000 College Freshman
 Ignorant of key facts, phases
 Blamed historians for not being active
 Enrolment in Elementary/ Junior near
100%
 Nearly all HS students study American
History
 Knowing History? facts, dates, names,
events, then yes Americans lack
knowledge
 Understanding/Appreciation?
Americans do know a “reasonable”
amount

1945
Post War Era
 Time of conformity
 Economic prosperity & expansion
 Ideological struggle capitalism & communism
 Non-discussion of controversial issues
 Study of Social Sciences to disciplines
 Advantage historians & social scientists