The ideal of universal education is central to American democracy; indeed, the founders of the United States considered it key to the success of the Republican experiment. Because Americans governed themselves, they needed to be educated and virtuous to stem the forces of corruption endemic to a democratic system. Universal education was to ensure the literacy of all young Americans and furnish them with a profound sense of morality and appreciation of their duties as Republican citizens. Moreover, by providing free access to schooling for everyone, universal education would level artificial barriers against social advancement, and thereby contribute significantly to the fulfillment of a major promise of the new democratic state—equality of opportunity.