The Changes in Education and Literacy During Industrialization in 19th Century Sweden

In the 19th century, Sweden went through a big change called industrialization. This meant that the country moved from farming to creating goods in factories. This shift had a huge effect on education and how well people could read and write.

1. More Need for Reading and Writing:

• As factories grew, they needed more workers who could read.
• Workers had to understand instructions, safety rules, and important papers.
• Because of this, more people learned to read and write. By the late 1800s, about 86% of Swedes could read, which was a big jump from around 50% in the early 1800s.

2. New Public Schools:

• In 1842, a new law said that kids aged 7 to 13 had to go to school. This was a big change for education.
• More schools opened in cities to keep up with the growing number of kids. By 1880, there were almost 1,300 primary schools, compared to just 300 in the 1820s.

3. Changes in What Kids Learned:

• Schools started teaching subjects that were important for factory jobs. This included math, reading, and writing.
• They also focused on teaching in Swedish, which helped workers understand each other better and built a sense of national pride.

4. Education for Girls:

• Industrialization also changed the way girls were educated. More girls went to school, and by 1900, over 80% of females could read and write, up from just 45% in 1800.

5. Effects on Society:

• With more people able to read and write, society changed. People started getting more involved in politics and their communities.
• By the end of the century, around 27% of the population could vote, showing how education helped people take part in their government.

In conclusion, industrialization in 19th century Sweden made a big difference in education and literacy. More people learned to read and write, which helped create a society that was more informed and active in community life.