Michael’s Reviews > Anti-Intellectualism in American Life > Status Update

Religion in the United States started with a schism that rejected leadership and diluted itself to convert others out of practicality. This practicality combined well with the early American businessman who saw himself as "self made" and not in need of a formal education which was viewed as lacking monetary or technical value. These two factors all but guaranteed most Americans would view art/intellect as useless.

Intellectuals were ousted from Presidential politics for nearly 70 years, and were sidelined altogether after the civil war (in part because of their support for abolition). Their only major victory? Civil service reform. Their revenge? Teddy Roosevelt.