Clio’s Tattered Robes

In recent years some conservatives have felt that compulsory American history courses in high school and the promotion of the American Civilization major in college would help restore republican principles in the United States. At least one philanthropic foundation has supported American Studies programs in various colleges for the purpose of bolstering “Americanism.” This position at first sight seems realistic as an antidote to the proliferation of social studies courses—”Problems of Democracy,” “current events,” and the like—which have replaced traditional courses in history and apparently have been effectively used by modern educators to foster collectivism and statism.

But nothing can better illustrate the fallacy of expecting American history, as presently taught and written, to counteract “creeping socialism” than two books recently written by young members of the historical profession: The Pragmatic Revolt in American History: Carl Becker and Charles Beard (Yale, $3.50) by Cushing Strout, and We the People (Chicago, $7.00) by Forrest McDonald.

KT

About the Author

K. S. Templeton

Featured Tags

In recent years some conservatives have felt that compulsory American history courses in high school and the promotion of the American Civilization major in college would help restore republican principles in the United States. At least one philanthropic foundation has supported American Studies programs in various colleges for the purpose of bolstering “Americanism.” This position at first sight seems realistic as an antidote to the proliferation of social studies courses—”Problems of Democracy,” “current events,” and the like—which have replaced traditional courses in history and apparently have been effectively used by modern educators to foster collectivism and statism.

But nothing can better illustrate the fallacy of expecting American history, as presently taught and written, to counteract “creeping socialism” than two books recently written by young members of the historical profession: The Pragmatic Revolt in American History: Carl Becker and Charles Beard (Yale, $3.50) by Cushing Strout, and We the People (Chicago, $7.00) by Forrest McDonald.