Question

Which statement BEST explains the reason for establishing the University of Georgia, the country's first state-chartered public university?

A) An educated populace was necessary for a free government and that the government should make education available to all white males, not just the wealthy.
B) Anyone working in a government role should have an education that is provided to them free of charge.
C) An education should be available to all people regardless of race, gender, or cultural background, including American Indians.
D) Education should be reserved for the wealthy to ensure that there is a large working class that can be managed by the educated elite.

Answer 1

A) An educated populace was necessary for a free government and that the government should make education available to all white males, not just the wealthy.

The founding of the University of Georgia was based on the belief that an educated populace was necessary for a free government and that education should not be exclusive to the wealthy but available to all white males.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best statement that explains the reason for establishing the University of Georgia, the country's first state-chartered public university, is: An educated populace was necessary for a free government and that the government should make education available to all white males, not just the wealthy (Option A).

This concept reflects early American values around education and its role in a democracy. At the time, education was seen as essential for an informed electorate and to fulfill civic duties, with public education championed by reformers such as Horace Mann.

The founding of the University of Georgia was motivated by the belief that education prepares youth for social and civic duties and maintains a democracy by educating all, not just a privileged few. However, this access initially extended only to white males, reflecting the societal structures of the time.