... - John Taylor Gatto - The Underground History Of

: Gatto asserts that 19th-century American social engineers adopted the Prussian system to ensure a manageable citizenry that would not question authority.

: He argues the system was funded by powerful industrialists like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller to create "human resources" for a planned industrial economy. John Taylor Gatto - The Underground History of ...

: Schools teach a "hidden" set of lessons—confusion, class position, indifference, and emotional dependency—that are more influential than the formal academic subjects. : Gatto asserts that 19th-century American social engineers

: Returning the responsibility of education to families. John Taylor Gatto - The Underground History of ...

Gatto did not believe the system could be reformed because it is "working exactly as intended". Instead, he advocated for:

: Encouraging children to engage with the "real world" through apprenticeships and self-directed study. Core Thesis Restated