Ah, the War of Independence was a major turning point in American history. The federal constitution gives States the power to manage education. France was the first country to recognize the United States as a "country". In the decades before and after the War of Independence, France had a far-reaching influence on American higher education. "The most successful example" is in new york. [4] In new york, the first institution reflecting the intention of French rationalist philosophers appeared. From 1784 to 1787, the state legislature set out to establish a new type of organization-new york State University, which controls and manages the education of the whole state or the "university" of schools at all levels in the state. This unique university is not just a higher education institution like Paris University or Oxford University. On the contrary, its scope of authority extends to the management of various schools, colleges and universities in the state, which is a centralized and secular education system controlled by the state. Paul Si Tong, an American educational historian, commented, "If France can say that it has given new york the ideal of a balanced state education system, then new york can also say that it has repaid France in the form of an all-inclusive university organization." [5] After decades of efforts, before the 1920s of 19, some newly-built colleges called themselves state universities. 1825 In March, with the personal care and participation of Jefferson, the father of the United States, the University of Virginia officially opened. As the earliest state university in the United States, the University of Virginia is one of the few universities in the United States influenced by French higher education. One of the most influential aspects of France is that universities are controlled by the government and divorced from the church. [6] For example, among the existing state universities, eight universities (Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, South Carolina, Miami and Maryland) have a longer history than the University of Virginia, but only the University of Virginia has received continuous funding from the state government. Other schools enjoyed state funding as early as after the Civil War. Jefferson was a strong advocate of the separation of church and state, so as the "father of the school", he naturally opposed the employment of priests as professors in the school, but this situation changed completely after his own death. Of course, Jefferson's interest in higher education may be influenced by French educators such as Quesnay, and it is also closely related to his observation and research abroad (mainly in Paris). When the University of Virginia was founded, it had only 40 students. Although Jefferson thought that the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Paris in Europe were one or two hundred years behind the university buildings and campuses he designed, he sent people to Europe to recruit professors and set up eight professorships, including classical languages, modern languages, mathematics, natural philosophy, natural history, anatomy and medicine, ethics and law. Of the original eight professors, only two were professors of ethics and law. Of course, the University of Virginia is not the only one who studies French higher education. The University of Michigan was originally designed according to the French university model. France had a great influence on the establishment and early organization of the University of Michigan because it was attributed to most French immigrants in the region and their early educational efforts. Second, thanks to the example provided by new york State University and the French, especially Napoleon University, it proves that a centralized, secular and all-inclusive national system is desirable in function and thought; Third, it is attributed to the role of Michigan influenced by President Jefferson. 18 17, judge Woodward of Michigan territory drafted an education bill, and his university blueprint was the Imperial University established by Napoleon more than 10 years ago. Woodward designed the University of Michigan with five points: separation from the church; Funded by the government; Professor's autonomy; Attach importance to science education rather than classical education; The University of Michigan is the cornerstone of Michigan's entire education system. This university is responsible for education in the whole state, including primary and secondary education. University presidents have the right to establish knowledge systems such as colleges, primary and secondary schools, libraries and museums in all counties and cities in China. Woodward's plan not only injected fresh French air into American higher education at that time, but also was more or less realized later. 1835, Michigan held a constitutional convention. Peirce and Clary, who drafted the constitution, were also deeply influenced by the French philosopher Cushing's report on the current situation of public education in Prussia, and re-enacted laws and regulations for Michigan. The central point is that the state government has the responsibility and obligation to develop education. Pierce formally established the University of Michigan. 1852, Henry Philippe Daban, who greatly admired and admired German universities, became the president. Later, Daban tried his best to build the University of Michigan into a German-style university. He believes that French universities are the product of the Great Revolution and Napoleonic man-made, and it is not easy to follow suit. He criticized British universities for being backward and terrible, and they were antique colleges, which could not meet the needs of the times. After taking office, Daban immediately became the craze of American higher education. He hired excellent professors, expanded libraries and laboratories, established art galleries, recruited students with bachelor's degrees, advised teachers to give lectures, offered science courses and competed with classical courses. Especially in large classes, university teachers need to engage in research after teaching and lead students to participate. Universities should not only disseminate knowledge, but also create knowledge. It is to establish a school that combines teaching with scientific research to provide comprehensive education. Of course, the University of Michigan, which was dominated by French centralization thought and French elements in its early days, was difficult to reproduce French characteristics when it became a large-scale president. However, this cannot hide its early history of being influenced by French universities.