Massachusetts Spy
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The Massachusetts Spy, originally the Worcester Spy, was a newspaper published by Isaiah Thomas in Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts in the 18th century. It was a heavily political weekly paper that was constantly on the verge of being suppressed by the Royalist government, from the time of its establishment in 1770 to 1776, during the runup to the American Revolution. In 1771-1773 the Spy featured the essays of several anonymous political commentators who called themselves "Centinel," "Mucius Scaevola" and "Leonidas." They spoke in the same terms about similar issues, kept Patriot polemics on the front page, and supported each other against attacks in progovernment papers. Rhetorical combat was a Patriot tactic that explained the issues of the day and fostered cohesiveness without advocating outright rebellion. The columnists spoke to the colonists as an independent people tied to Britain only by voluntary legal compact.
Isaiah Thomas and Paul Revere
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Masthead_and_part_of_front_page_of_The_Massachusetts_spy%2C_or%2C_Thomas%27s_Boston_journal_showing_a_female_figure_of_Liberty_in_upper_left_and_rattlesnake_labeled_%22Join_or_Die%22_symbolizing_the_LCCN2002712180.jpg/1024px-thumbnail.jpg
Thomas, Isaiah. “The Massachusetts Spy, May 3, 1775” (1975). Teach US History. Print. Newspaper Article. Accessed on 29, Jun 2020 at < http://www.teachushistory.org/node/333>
Library of Congress
July 7, 1774
Library of Congress
Library of Congress
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Spy">Wikipedia</a><br /><br /><p><strong>“The Massachusetts Spy or, American Oracle of Liberty, Worcester, Massachusetts.” <em>Library of Congress</em>. (July 2010). Print. Accessed on 29 Jun, 2020 at https://www.loc.gov/rr/news/circulars/spy.html. </strong></p>
<a href="https://www.loc.gov/rr/news/circulars/spy.html" title="The Massachusetts Spy or, American Oracle of Liberty, Worcester, Massachusetts">Library of Congress (LOC)</a>
Photograph
English
Newspaper
Massachusetts Spy, Massachusetts, Newspaper, American Revolution, Media
United States
The Country School
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<p><strong><em>I touch the future. I teach.</em></strong></p>
<p><em>Christa McAuliffe, teacher and NASA space shuttle crew member</em></p>
Soon after the American Revolution, our founders argued education was essential for our nation's survival and prosperity…. Common-school advocates worked to establish a free elementary education accessible to everyone and financed by public funds.<br /> <br /><em>(Excerpt. “Honor America’s Schools.” Reach Every Child.)</em>
Winslow Homer
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Winslow_Homer_-_The_Country_School.jpg/800px-Winslow_Homer_-_The_Country_School.jpg
Saint Louis Art Museum
1871
Saint Louis Art Museum
Link: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Winslow_Homer_-_The_Country_School.jpg">The Country School (via wikimedia)</a>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winslow_Homer">Winslow Homer</a>
Medium: Oil on Canvas. <br /><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Winslow_Homer_-_The_Country_School.jpg"></a>
English
Artwork
Country School, American Revolution, Public Education, Public Schools, 18th Century
United States
The Tea-tax-tempest, or the Anglo-American Revolution, 1778
<h4><a href="https://vmps.omeka.net/exhibits/show/financing-common-purposes-gall/financing-common-purposes-gall">Returning to Financing our Common Purposes</a></h4>
A satire expressing a Continental European view of the American Revolution, showing Father Time using a magic lantern to project the image of a teapot exploding among frightened British troops as American troops advance through the smoke. In the midst of the smoke is a "Gallic cock" seated on a bellows fanning the flames beneath the teapot? Figures representing world opinion look on: an Indian for America, a black woman representing Africa, a woman holding a lantern symbolizing Asia, and a woman bearing a shield for Europe.
Guttenberg, Carl, 1743-1790, engraver
http://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/pga/06900/06915r.jpg
Library of Congress
1778
Library of Congress
The Tea-tax-tempest, or the Anglo-American Revolution. <br /><br />Source: <a href="http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pga.06915">Library of Congress</a>, Digital Id. pga 06915, Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.
<a href="https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/96510317/">Library of Congress</a>
Medium: Wood Engaving
English
Artwork
Satire, American Revolution, Teapot, British, UK, Art, Europe
United States
New England Primer Part One
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Pages from the most popular and used textbook of the 18th century, the New England Primer. Using illustrations, rhyme, and often biblical context, these pages taught young schoolchildren their ABCs. It was not only important for children to have a good education, but to also be learned about the bible.
In Puritan Connecticut, it was decided that all children should have equal opportunity for education, in contrast to the European country they hailed from. While originally it was done so that they would make a living, as the children were also instructed in trades, the progression of education became more important from the 17th century into the 18th. More school buildings became a requirement in every colony, more money was given to the foundation of the schools, and laws were passed for the schools to have standards. With these advances in education, the colonies became more independent. European commoners were illiterate, but these American colonies strived for education for everyone. It gave them an advantage in the upcoming American Revolution.
The Stamford Historical Society
https://www.stamfordhistory.org/images/pp_primer1_w.jpg
The Stamford Historical Society
1990
The Stamford Historical Society
Link: <a href="https://www.stamfordhistory.org/pp_ed.htm">https://www.stamfordhistory.org/pp_ed.htm</a>
<a href="https://www.stamfordhistory.org/index.htm">Stamford Historical Society</a>
Medium: Wood Engraving.
English
Organization
New England Primer, Education, ABCs, Equal Opportunity, 18th Century, Colonies, American Revolution
Connecticut