Beginning of Essay
Today, free public schools are present in countries throughout the world. Many people assume these facilities have always existed and fail to recognize the years of trial, conflict, and debate that occurred in order to establish this system of education presently ....

Middle of Essay
.... Webster, Horace Mann, and Henry Barnard, devoted much of their time to convincing citizens of the importance of education. The insight and dedication of colonial leaders to the movement for tax-supported public schools has lead to the triumph over opposition from American citizens and has resulted in the expansion of public education. As time progressed, the need for free public education became more evident. A law was passed giving all adult white males the right to vote, but many of these men were uneducated and lacked the knowledge needed to make an informed decision when voting. It is also known that quite a number of these men were also una ....