Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Why did the colonists fight the British?
Name the US war between the North and the South.
Most Americans can (hopefully) answer these questions. They have been drilled into our heads through years of US history classes or have been learned just as a natural result of living in this country. They aren’t something we have to think about that often, if at all.
These questions are taken from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services civics test [1}, which I became quite familiar with this summer as an intern at Lippitt House Museum, working with Cathy Saunders, Curator of Education. Over those months, I attended ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) classes and tours of the house, working with organizations such as Genesis Center and Dorcas International. I compiled educational resources on American history, tailored to an audience of English learners, some of whom were preparing to take the civics test. These were all part of Lippitt House Museum’s Civics Program for English Language Learners.
Many people do not have to think about US history in their day-to-day life, but this is not the case for an individual studying for the civics test. As I compiled educational videos on American history and observed Cathy’s engaging lessons, the events we discussed began to feel much more important and relevant.
Rhode Island history really started to come into focus for me. Did you know that the American industrial revolution began in Rhode Island? Or that Rhode Islanders were some of the first to protest unfair taxes in the years leading up to the Revolutionary War with the burning of the HMS Gaspee? I didn’t until this summer. In the civics class curriculum, we were able to use local, familiar Rhode Island landmarks and history to tell the story of broader national issues and topics.
We discussed the mural in downtown Providence, familiar to many, which features Lynsea Montanari, of the Narragansett tribe, holding a picture of Mary Ella “Red Wing” Peek Congdon, the late Narragansett and Wampanoag activist. The mural, painted by Gaia, is entitled Still Here, and we tied it into a conversation about Native American history. (Civics Test Question: Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?)
We talked about Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, and, after listing the many places in Providence that still bear his name, how he, like many other colonists, sought religious freedom. (Civics Test Question: What is one reason colonists came to America?) We see snippets and trails of American history all around us, every day, in both our physical environments and our political climate.
Part of the reason it is so important to learn about American history is, of course, because it so greatly informs our current issues, and many of the history lessons taught to this summer’s ESOL classes were important reminders of this. One of the Lippitt Civics lessons reviews the four constitutional amendments that changed who was allowed to vote. It is a particularly relevant lesson this fall. Consider how many people had to fight for their right to vote in the past, and those who, by way of becoming citizens, are doing the same right now. Many of the people in our classes have been in the United States for several years, learning English, and studying for the civics test, every day getting closer to becoming a citizen and being able to vote.
I think it was this lesson in particular that made me feel much more excited about voting this year. When we learn about American history, we remember that voting is a privilege that has been earned, and one that many people, including many people currently living in our country, still do not have. When posed with the civics test question, “What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?” I felt a renewed sense of significance about my participation in this year’s election. Voting is the one responsibility only for US citizens, and I am looking forward to casting my vote this year. I hope you are, as well!
Madeline Tirschwell BA '24 History, Brown University
[1} During the citizenship application process the Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Naturalization Test is given to assess an applicant’s knowledge of US government, history, and geography. To see the questions and test yourself go to: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q.pdf.