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What was the first university in North America?
The Spanish culture and teaching was soon established, Mexico already had schools and universities 50 years before the first English settlers arrived in North America.
+ Hispanic Roots
The First Professional School in the U.S.
While the future country of North America helped by Spain, achieved the decisive victory of Yorktown against the English, the Spanish work continued on the other side of the continent. In the town of Tubac (Arizona), the first North American Professional School was created.
England and Spain differences
Until after the 18th century, Spain’s cultural supremacy was almost absolute. The Spanish Universities were centers of knowledge. In these universities and especially in the School of Salamanca, such modern theories were created that continue today, such as: Theories of International Law and Human Rights, The Modern Economy, The Measurement of Time, etc. Books by Salamanca authors were burned in Paris or London, because they attacked royal absolutism. In Economics, current concepts such as Interest, Fair Price, Inflation, Risk Premium, etc. were covered.
Spain did not have colonies like the English. Spain had Viceroyalties. The viceroyalties were governed by a Viceroy, a delegate of the King of Spain. Although they followed the laws of the King of Spain, they had their own administration, as if it were another province of Spain. For this reason, each Viceroyalty solved its own problems and needs. Universities were soon created all over America. Initially in front of them, were former students of the Spanish Universities.
Spain pioneer in Schools and Universities
The missionaries soon created schools as it was considered necessary to educate new converts to Christianity. The Dominican and Jesuit friars were usually the teachers and led them.
While Spain created more than 25 universities in America and the Philippines, very little, if not almost nothing, did England in her colonies throughout the world, at the university education level.
Since 1536 schools operate
America’s first Vocational school was built in present-day Arizona. But 200 years before, the schools run by the religious began to function, with great efficiency. An example of miscegenation. In them the indigenous elites were educated in faith and culture.
Teaching in New Spain since the beginning of colonization
First college in 1536
And the first University in 1551
Attempts to educate the indigenous people of the area led to the creation of colleges and universities from the early years. And the next phase was to create universities to continue high-level teaching.
Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco College (1536)
Next to the Franciscan convent
In the year 1536, the Colegio de Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco was founded.
College of San Nicolás (1540)
Patzcuaro
It was the first higher grade educational institution. The first colleges soon appeared in New Spain, run by religious. Its objective to evangelize and educate. Spain sent almost an army of missionaries to the new world.
University of Mexico (1551)
Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico
University in New Spain
With the objective of educating the newly converted to Christianity, this University is built. It was the continuation of the schools for indigenous and Spanish that began decades before.
Tubac Mission (Tucson)
Tubac population in Arizona
Vocational Training School (1781)
The missions carried out important cultural work. The first Vocational Training school was created in the mission of Tubac in Arizona, now a territory of the United States, in 1781.
This happened 2 years before the Independence of the 13 English colonies, when England recognized the United States of America.
The 13 English colonies and late education
The English arrive in 1607
Teaching in the 13 English colonies came 100 years later than in the Spanish areas. As the English settlers did not arrive until 1607, it was also later their first college and almost 200 years later their first university.
Harvard College (1636)
First College in the 13 Massachusetts Colonies
Originally called New College at New Towne, it later changed its name.
It was the first English language school in the 13 colonies.
In the year 1780 it became a University, calling itself Harvard University.
First University in the territory of the 13 English colonies
University of Pennsylvania (1740)
(Philadelphia)
It was the first University created in the 13 English colonies. English policy, like the Portuguese was minimal, preached the cultural dependence of the metropolis. London or Lisbon.
The Hispanic Culture, the first of the U.S
A surprising cultural superiority
Although it is usually unknown, the Hispanic territories had Colleges and Universities more than 100 years earlier than in the 13 English colonies. The Missions were pioneers in educating Native Americans
Under the motto of educating the indigenous converts, colleges and universities were created throughout the Spanish Empire. When the English created the 13 colonies, it had been many decades since New Spain had colleges and universities.
Even before the arrival of the English, in 1607 there were several universities created by the Spanish. in the American continent. In the year 1538 the first university was created, that of Santo Domingo on the Island of Hispaniola. And in the year 1551 the University of Mexico was created. And progressively up to 25 Universities throughout the American Continent.
