Significance of U.S. Science the 1870's
Science in the United States prior to the Civil War was straggling to rise more than a few feet off the ground. Lacking positive support and participation, the few scientific organizations that were established failed to conform to newer thinking styles. With new scientific leaders, holding powerful positions and the Civil War now over, science in the United States grew vastly. A new epoch in science had arrived. Prior to the Civil War, the National Academy of Sciences hung from a precarious cliff with failing membership and lack of governmental interest. When Joseph Henry took over the presidency in 1867, his goal was to bring back the academy and reinvent it into a useful institution. First, Joseph Henry worked to get rid of Benjamin Siliman. Siliman was a key figure in the scientific of revolution in the early 1800's but was known to be a pursuer of profit in regards to science. Many believed he was a shame to modern science, and while his disbarment was not successful, the issue of membership requirements came under scrutin
y. With the backing of Congress, Henry was able to lift the limits on membership and recruit younger, fresher members. By removing the limit of members, Henry was able to balance out the different fields. Henry was able to recreate the National Academy of Science into an institution that was able to create standards, promote basic research in all fields of science, and becomes advocates of science to the public. The Smithsonian was another institute that branch in the tree of U.S. science that received a facelift after the Civil War. The Smithsonian was owned jointly between the government and privately. The Smithsonian was supposed to be a support for scientists without strings, and yet that could not be realized without some sort of governmental dependence. With the building of Spencer Baird's National Museum, the Smithsonian's funds were being drained at an enormous rate. Spencer tried to detach the museum for the Smithsonian Institute without great success. In the end, the museum was built with the funds of Congress and t
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 697
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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