Religious and political coincidences and disagreements over the concept of Education (Provincia Oriental, Uruguay, 1816-1886)

Abstract

From the perspective of the history of concepts, this article analyses the concept of education and the terms which were used, redefined and confronted between 1816 and 1886 in the Provincia Oriental and in Uruguay later, in its relation to politics – gradual interest of political actors in the subject, growing State intervention – and to religion – defence of the Christian faith and education facing the development of secularization and of the role of the State. In this exploration, significant continuities are detected. An always favourable valuation of the concept of education coexists with the sense of personal and social growth associated, since the Enlightenment, with the achievement of the progress of each individual, of social groups and nations. Ruptures or conceptual mutations also arise, showing significant cultural changes. Education designed to discipline and preserve the status quo will be replaced by education for change and personal and collective progress. In this context, the education of minorities would be replaced by the people’s education and Christian education would give room to secularized education, with all the nuances and weaknesses that these processes entail.

Keywords: education, church, State.