Compulsory education in the U.S. was enacted as a result of which historical event?

The enactment of compulsory education in the U.S. is closely tied to the Industrial Revolution, which transformed the economic landscape and societal structures of the time. As the Industrial Revolution progressed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a growing need for a literate and skilled workforce to meet the demands of industrial jobs. This shift led to the recognition that education was essential for not only individual success but also for the economic viability of the nation.

As a result, reformers pushed for laws to mandate school attendance to ensure that all children had the opportunity to receive an education. These laws emerged to combat child labor, promote public education as a means for upward social mobility, and prepare children for their roles in an increasingly complex and mechanized society. The integration of compulsory education policies reflected a broader societal shift towards the belief that education was a public good and a necessary right for all children, laying the foundation for the modern educational system in the United States.