American educators are fascinated by German educational…

American educators are fascinated by German educational trends.

John Griscom had given a favorable report of Prussian education in 1818.

English translations were made of French philosopher Victor Cousin's work, "Report on the State of Public Education in Prussia."

Calvin E. Stowe, Henry Barnard, Horace Mann, George Bancroft, and Joseph Cogswell all have a vigorous interest in German education.

Beginning about 1822, Prussia has received a steady flow of Americans who bring back the Prussian education system to the United States.

Mann travels to Germany in 1843 to investigate how the educational process works.

Upon his return to the United States, he lobbies heavily to have the "Prussian model" adopted.

Mann convinces his fellow modernizers, especially those in the Whig Party, to legislate tax-supported elementary public education in their states.

Indeed, most northern states adopt one version or another of the system he establishes in Massachusetts, especially the program for "normal schools" to train professional teachers.

Mann is instrumental in the decision to adopt the Prussian education system in Massachusetts in 1852.

New York state soon sets up the same method in twelve different schools on a trial basis.