Public School Education in 1850 Enabled the

Public school education in 1850 enabled the spread of learning writing, reading and arithmetic for a population that had previously been skilled and semiskilled workers. History at one point in educational history became a required course to help encourage ideas such as patriotism (Henretta). Among the other subjects emphasized during the 1800's were likely topics such as loyalty oaths and obedience in an effort to discipline children enrolled in public schools and increase American feelings of democracy and freedom.

Of relevance to our studies are the population demographics of public schools during 1850. A pattern is very apparent related to the number of students actually enrolled in public schools during this time compared with total population. This pattern is reflective of the geographical and social setting of the states during 1850. Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York had the highest percentage of pupils enrolled in public schools during 1850 (Census, 1850). They also had the largest number of public schools. The fewest? Minnesota, California, Texas, Arkansas and Florida (Census, 1850).

Why the discrepancy? These are just numbers. Compared to the total population of the states, the following states had the highest percentage of pupils enrolled compared to total population in the state: Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Connecticut, New Jersey, Vermont and New York also had higher percentages of pupils enrolled (Census, 1850). What is more telling that the highest percentages of pupils enrolled however, is examination of the states with the lowest percentage of students enrolled.

Across the board the text reveals that almost all southern states, Whether as little south as Virginia to as far south as Georgia and Florida, and inclusive of states such as Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas, the fewest percentages of pupils were enrolled in public schools. To understand this one must examine the economy of the era of 1850. It must be noted that the largest percentage of enrolled students was noted in northern New England states during the time.

It was in these states that the "hubbub" of modern day society was occurring. Big business and prosperity was being formed. It was important for children to obtain an education as a means of finding gainful and meaningful employment. Many factories were filled with workers (Henretta). New England may be considered the "land of opportunity" during the time. Unskilled and semi-skilled workers and immigrants had traveled far in the hopes of obtaining a better life. Education provided a means to do so.

In the South, people were still struggling with issues of slavery and plantations. People were primarily agriculturists and farmers living off of the land. Many children lived on plantations and were expected to work for a living, not go to school. This of course was due in part to necessity. For the most part much of the south was still very rural. Within families, some children may have known their father as a tradesman, such as a blacksmith (Henretta).

In the New England States, it is reasonable to expect that children would have been encouraged to break from tradition and learn to read and write, allowing them an unarguable advantage over their less well educated peers. In places such as Louisiana or Georgia however, such learning was probably not as highly touted. More free slaves were also likely to be living North in the New England states, a likely contributor to the increased population of pupils in school.

It is easy to understand why many pupils were not enrolled in school as far west as California and Texas. These states were filled only with American adventurers. America was a very young nation during 1850, and only a few brave souls had ventured west to settle and begin life anew. Like the people of the south, their lives were very rural and most likely filled with day-to-day functions such as running a household and making a living off of new property. Most people had to work.

Many immigrants flooded the New England States especially during 1850, filling industrial houses, manufacturing facilities and "sweat shops" (Henretta). It is likely that many people coming to live in the states were looking for the opportunity to be free and economically independent,.