Grand Valley State University ScholarWorks@GVSU Masters Theses Graduate Research and Creative Practice 4-2014 A Textbook Analysis: A Case Study of Changes in History Textbooks Based on the Revolutionary War Danielle Renee Wager Grand Valley State University Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses Part of the Education Commons Recommended Citation Wager, Danielle Renee, "A Textbook Analysis: A Case Study of Changes in History Textbooks Based on the Revolutionary War" (2014). Masters Theses. 690. http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/690 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research and Creative Practice at ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Textbook Analysis: A Case Study of Changes in History Textbooks Based on the Revolutionary War Danielle Renee Wager A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Education Department of Leadership and Learning College of Education April 2014 Acknowledgments In writing this thesis, I have benefited from the encouragement, advice, and constructive criticism of my committee chair Dr. Roger Wilson as well as that of my committee members Dr. Douglas Busman and Dr. Richard Cooley. Many thanks to them, as well many others at Grand Valley State University, who helped me in a variety of ways throughout my graduate program. The intellectual training that they have provided to me throughout my studies in the College of Education has made my education a pleasure and a privilege and has prepared me for my academic and professional road ahead. In addition, a thank you to my wonderful and patient husband Kreg Wager as well as my beautiful family for all of the time and support they have given me in completing my Masters. Danielle Renee Wager 3 Abstract Research has provided us with information that textbooks are not free from bias. Textbooks are subject to a variety of influences such as the background, beliefs and motivations of the authors of primary sources, secondary sources, and analyses of sources. They are also subject to influences by large consumer groups as well as political and interest groups who finance the textbook market. Due to these influences, it is important for teachers to understand that textbooks are not free from bias, and if they do not do so already, they should supplement their students’ learning with primary and secondary sources beyond the textbook in order to provide for a more balanced understanding of United States history. This thesis explores the change in United States history textbooks in regards to the American Revolution by reviewing five topics and events: the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Declaration of Independence, the role of women, and the role of blacks. This research was conducted using five different United States history textbooks: one from 1926, 1952, 1967, 1993, and 2007. This thesis discovered that significant changes exists with regards to these five topics or events over the time period investigated both in the amount of information as well as the type, order and details of information provided. The findings indicate the importance for teachers to supplement student learning with additional sources, and potentially have state education departments create a wide variety of resources of primary and secondary sources for teachers. 4 Table of Contents Acknowledgments............................................................................................................................3 Abstract ............................................................................................................................................4 Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................5 List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................8 Chapter One: Introduction Overview ..............................................................................................................................9 Problem Statement ...............................................................................................................9 Importance and Rationale of Study....................................................................................10 Background of the Study ...................................................................................................12 Statement of Purpose .........................................................................................................18 Research Questions ............................................................................................................18 Design, Data Collection and Analysis ...............................................................................19 Definition of Terms............................................................................................................20 Delimitations of Study .......................................................................................................21 Limitations of Study ..........................................................................................................21 Organization of Thesis .......................................................................................................22 Chapter Two: Literature Review Overview ............................................................................................................................23 Introduction .......................................................................................................................23 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................24 Textbooks as a Primary Source of Education ........................................................24 Sources That Affect History Textbooks ................................................................25 5 Analysis of Sources in History ..............................................................................26 Available Information for History .........................................................................27 Publishing Practices ...............................................................................................28 Outcomes of Influences on Textbooks ..................................................................31 Summary ............................................................................................................................34 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................35 Chapter Three: Research Design Overview ............................................................................................................................37 Introduction ........................................................................................................................37 Methodology ......................................................................................................................39 Data Collection ..................................................................................................................41 Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................42 Summary ............................................................................................................................43 Chapter Four: Findings Overview ............................................................................................................................45 Introduction ........................................................................................................................45 Findings..............................................................................................................................45 Boston Massacre ....................................................................................................46 Boston Tea Party ....................................................................................................49 Declaration of Independence .................................................................................53 The Role of Women ...............................................................................................58 The Role of Blacks.................................................................................................61 Summary ............................................................................................................................64 6 Chapter Five: Conclusion Overview ............................................................................................................................66 Summary of the Study .......................................................................................................66 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................68 Discussion ..........................................................................................................................70 Declaration of Independence .................................................................................72