Final answer:
Early education in the United States was strongly influenced by European ideas, which were rooted in the colonial experiences and cultural foundations established by European colonization, particularly from the Iberian Peninsula.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early education in the United States was strongly influenced by European ideas. This influence is rooted in the colonial era when European powers, notably from regions like the Iberian Peninsula, colonized the Americas and established the languages, borders, and educational systems that would shape the U.S. The conquering and colonization by European countries introduced European customs, religious practices, laws, and cultural beliefs that would dominate the American continent.
The Eurocentric perspectives and educational models provided the foundation for early American education. Furthermore, during the period of westward expansion and the idea of Manifest Destiny, American settlers believed they were divinely ordained to spread democratically governed societies and their culture across the continent, further entrenching European influenced norms and practices.