American schools in Turkey: Robert College

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to introduce information about the American schools established for missionary in Turkey and the best-known of them Robert College. In line with this basic objective, in the study answers are searched for the following questions; 1- The emergence of American missionary, what is their purpose and effectiveness? 2- The establishment of American schools in Turkey and what are the features of them? 3- What are the characteristics of Robert College? In the study, descriptive method was used within the qualitative research methods. The results which are obtained in accordance with the data obtained from related literature pointing to research problems are: 1- The primary aim of US schools is to spread Protestantism and by giving an average Western education to train pioneers and leaders. These schools have arisen and have spread since the end of the 18th century. 2- These schools had influence on the political structure of the Ottoman Empire, on organizing of non-Muslims in the Ottoman society and on becoming conscious against the state. 3-Missionary schools for girls and boys are structured in all of the Ottoman country. Robert College, opened 4-16th September in 1863, was a school with students and instructors of all ethnic backgrounds, basically had departments consisting mainly language, commercial and engineering sciences, major part of the income of which is paid by the American organizations spreading Protestantism and main purpose of which is spreading Protestantism.