More women became teachers in the 1800s. John Dewey helped reform the focus to the students at school; he created the Dewey Decimal System. Political ideals in the 19th century also shaped a new suppo

[7 Kenzie]

More women became teachers in the 1800s. John Dewey helped reform the focus to the students at school; he created the Dewey Decimal System. Political ideals in the 19th century also shaped a new support for the education of women. This is the time period where education became more important. The level of education for women improved, because the government wanted them to be more educated for themselves and to help educated their children. There were many people pushing for as well as against education for women. Some believed that women were not equal mentally to men and could not comprehend higher level material. Many women were expected to be educated for domestic work by their mothers after their elementary education. Public schools had a huge growth spurt during the 19th century, and immigrants began to receive education as well. Throughout history the general percentage of graduating students has incline with the greatest spike occurring in the the early 20th century. During the Reconstruction Era, Africans were supposed to be treated equally but they still were not. They still did not have equal rights, even after the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were established to help them out. It was hard for Africans to own their own land because after Reconstruction, many were very poor and the good, profitable land was already taken by the whites. The KKK would harass the blacks, killing their livestock and force them to work for their previous white landlords. Many Union soldiers died trying to give Africans equality, and although slaves weren't freed at first, their purpose was eventually reached. Movies were the biggest part of entertainment at the turn of the century. Vacationing because of the trains and sports also became big (baseball). People played jump rope, cards, and marbles to pass the time. The economy was doing well so many people had extra to spend on entertainment. The circus became popular and boomed at the turn of the 20th century. Wild West shows were starting to merge (Buffalo Bill/Life of the Cowboy).