Key Takeaways:
- The U.S. has shifted focus from humanities to STEM, causing a decline in civic literacy.
- Many Americans lack basic knowledge of history, leading to poor civic engagement.
- Top colleges have dropped American history requirements, worsening the problem.
- Surveys show shocking gaps in historical and civic understanding among students.
- Experts warn that this crisis threatens democracy and calls for urgent action.
The United States is facing a growing crisis: millions of Americans, especially younger generations, lack basic knowledge of history, government, and civics. This gap in understanding is not just about forgetting dates or events—it’s about losing the foundation of what it means to be an informed citizen. Without this knowledge, democracy itself is at risk.
A Shift in Education Focus
In the 1950s, the launch of Sputnik, the first satellite, changed everything. The U.S. suddenly felt behind in science and technology, so schools began prioritizing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) over the humanities, which include history, literature, and philosophy. While investments in STEM have brought many benefits, the humanities were pushed aside, and American history took a hit.
Over the decades, this imbalance has led to a concerning trend: fewer students are learning about their country’s history, government, and civic responsibilities. For example, only 18% of colleges now require history and government courses as part of their general education programs. This means most students graduate without a solid understanding of America’s founding principles, Constitution, or civic duties.
The Consequences of Civic Illiteracy
The results of this education gap are alarming. Surveys show that many Americans don’t know basic facts about their country:
- In 2011, most 8th graders couldn’t name a key belief of the U.S., such as democracy, and instead thought the government should guarantee jobs.
- In 2015, 10% of college graduates believed TV’s “Judge Judy” was on the Supreme Court.
- In 2019, many adults confused Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with the creator of the New Deal (it was President Franklin D. Roosevelt) and thought Brett Kavanaugh or Antonin Scalia was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (they aren’t or weren’t).
- Only 12% knew the 13th Amendment ended slavery, and 30% believed the Equal Rights Amendment gave women the right to vote (it doesn’t).
These aren’t just minor mistakes—they show a deep misunderstanding of American history and government. This lack of knowledge affects how people engage with democracy. For example, many Americans don’t vote in local, state, or national elections because they don’t understand their rights or how the system works.
Colleges Drop American History Requirements
The problem starts in higher education. Many top colleges and universities no longer require students to study American history. For instance:
- Columbia University’s history major doesn’t require courses on American history. Students can graduate without ever studying the founding documents or key events in U.S. history.
- Colgate University allows history majors to focus on topics like environmental history or race and racism without covering American history.
- Even elite liberal arts colleges like Amherst and Swarthmore have dropped American history requirements.
This trend is widespread. In 2020, only 7 out of the top 25 public universities and 1 out of the top 25 national universities required a broad American history course for history majors.
Why This Matters
The decline of American history education has real-life consequences. When people don’t understand their country’s past, they can’t fully participate in its future. As Bruce Cole, former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, said, “Democracy is not self-perpetuating. History and values must be passed down to each new generation.”
Without this knowledge, misinformation spreads, and civic engagement suffers. For example:
- In 2024, 60% of college students didn’t know the term lengths for members of Congress.
- 68% didn’t know Congress has the power to declare war.
- 71% were unaware when 18-year-olds gained the right to vote.
These findings are based on multiple-choice questions, making the results even more concerning. If students can’t answer basic questions about their government, how can they make informed decisions at the polls?
A Call to Action
The solution starts with education. Colleges and universities must take responsibility by restoring American history and civics to their core curricula. By ensuring students graduate with a strong understanding of their country’s history and government, we can rebuild a more informed and engaged citizenry.
This isn’t just about academics—it’s about the future of democracy. As the surveys show, the consequences of inaction are severe. We must act now to address this civic education crisis and ensure that the next generation is prepared to lead.