Morrill Land Grant

Blog b: Morrill Land Grant Act

The Morrill Act was passed in 1862, after the south has seceded from the Union. Abraham Lincoln passed the act, along with another to expand railroads. Both acts had been opposed by southern states, but could be passed during the Civil War. Both were also aimed at boosting the economy across the nation. The Morrill Act originally gave all western states 30,000 acres of land to sell, per senator and representative. The land could be sold to generate money for state run colleges. These original colleges were for agriculture, engineering and military service. This offer was then extended to all states in the Union, and after the Civil War, to southern states as well. Although the federal government had been involved in issues relating to higher education, this act represented a major step forward. Land was an available commodity in these days. Land had already been tied to schooling with earlier legislation regarding the development of schools as new towns emerged This was one of the first major instances of the United States federal government trying to promote education. This same goal can still be seen today in many different federal programs that support higher education. Although this support has many positive outcomes, there has been a trend in education the federal government now wants to make education accountable to all people. This increase in accountability has had many effects of education, many of which we see today in our schools.

As a result of this act many states were able to begin or expand on state school system There are over 50 institutions across the nation that currently have roots in the passage of this act. This act had direct impact on Maine, as it allowed Maine to raise money for the University of Maine System to begin in Bangor. This generated import revenue for that area of the state, as it still does today. Although University of Maine at Farmington is now part of the University of Maine System, it was not always so. It was originally the Farmington Normal School. It was created from the Normal School Act. These acts are related in that not only did the government want to promote post secondary education for many, it also wanted to ensure that teachers of the future students received a meaningful training. This same desire to prepare quality teachers is still part of University of Maine at Farmington’s mission. The college helps students meet state standards for teaching.

Sources:
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/27.htm
http://www.higher-ed.org/resources/land_grant_colleges.htm
http://www.bangorregion.com/about_the_region/history.html
http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=33
http://www.maine.gov/education/150yrs/150part1.htm
http://www.farmington.edu/about/history.php