The radical and nonconformist influences on the creation of the dual system of universal elementary education in England and Wales, 1866-1870
In a study of the genesis of the 'dual system' of universal elementary education in England and Wales, obtaining at the present, it is easy to be influenced by the received view that the 1870 Elementary Education Act was a wise and judicious measure, albeit a move of limited potential, by W. E. Forster and the Liberal ministry of 1868, under William Gladstone.Educational historians, in the main, while setting out the importance of the 1870 Elementary Education Act, tend to expound an established opinion that the legislation was predominantly the work of Forster, who was ably assisted by an unwritten alliance between the Conservative Party and the Established Church. However, in order to understand fully, the developments leading up to the act itself, it is necessary to appreciate the little recognised, fundamental influences and pressures initiated by both radicals and nonconformists on the final outcome, and the resultant antagonisms in the struggle for universal elementary education, especially those political and religious controversies which were characterised by the wider debate of the years between 1866 and 1870.It is my purpose in the study to trace the developments of events over this period, and to
Raffell, Roland Constantine
History ; Education
The radical and nonconformist influences on the creation of the dual system of universal elementary education in England and Wales, 1866-1870. In a study of the genesis of the 'dual system' of universal elementary education in England and Wales, obtaining at the present, it is easy to be influenced by the received view that the 1870 Elementary Education Act was a wise and judicious measure, albeit a move of limited potential, by W. E. Forster and the Liberal ministry of 1868, under William Gladstone.Educational historians, in the main, while setting out the importance of the 1870 Elementary Education Act, tend to expound an established opinion that the legislation was predominantly the work of Forster, who was ably assisted by an unwritten alliance between the Conservative Party and the Established Church. However, in order to understand fully, the developments leading up to the act itself, it is necessary to appreciate the little recognised, fundamental influences and pressures initiated by both radicals and nonconformists on the final outcome, and the resultant antagonisms in the struggle for universal elementary education, especially those political and religious controversies which were characterised by the wider debate of the years between 1866 and 1870.It is my purpose in the study to trace the developments of events over this period, and to
radical nonconformist influence creation dual system universal elementary_education england_wales study genesis dual system universal elementary_education england_wales obtain present easy influence receive view elementary education_act measure albeit move limit potential liberal ministry william historians main set importance elementary education_act tend expound establish opinion legislation predominantly work assist alliance conservative party established_church however order_fully development lead act necessary appreciate little recognise fundamental influence pressure initiate radical nonconformist final outcome resultant antagonism struggle universal elementary_education especially political_religious controversy characterise wider_debate purpose_study trace_development event period