Industrialization in Sweden: Big Changes in the 19th Century

In the 19th century, Sweden went through a lot of changes because of industrialization. This was a time when the country was becoming more modern and there were many effects on society. Here are the main changes:

1. More People in Cities:

   • In the year 1800, only about 10% of people in Sweden lived in cities.
   • By 1900, this number grew to around 37%.
   • This shows that many people were moving from farms to cities.

2. New Social Class:

   • Industrialization created a new group of workers called the industrial working class.
   • These workers found jobs in factories, which changed the old way of life that was mostly about farming.

3. Education Improvements:

   • As factories needed skilled workers, education became more important.
   • By 1900, about 90% of adults could read and write, which was a big jump from only 50% in 1800.

4. Cultural Growth:

   • Cities started to have more museums, libraries, and theaters.
   • This showed how much people valued culture and the arts.
   • The Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, which started in 1788, became very popular in the 19th century, offering more shows for everyone to enjoy.

5. Workers Organizing:

   • Workers began to join together to fight for better treatment and rights.
   • By 1900, over 50 labor unions were formed, which helped create better laws for workers and social changes.

All of these changes not only changed life in Sweden back then but also helped set up what the country would become in the 20th century.