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Foster's Education Act in 1870 made education compulsory. This Act was one single event which had an enormous impact.

Up to this time education had only been available to those who could pay.

Now every child received was what called an elementary education.

Poorer people had the chance to better themselves.

Books, magazines, newspapers and advertising received a huge boost - there was a whole new market out there of folk who could read!

Letters and postcards could be exchanged between people whose parents would never have dreamed of putting pen to paper.

Later education acts, in the twentieth century, eventually made secondary, and then later, higher education, available to all.

What is being shown in the picture?

		Victorian Events The Great Exhibition in 1851 celebrated Victorian industrial achievements and new inventions. It also featured exhibits from around the world. These included Isaac Singer's sewing machine and Cyrus McCormick's mechanical reaper. A huge glass palace was designed by Joseph Paxton for the exhibition which attracted thousands of visitors. It was the first public event that had properly organised refreshments (provided by Joseph Lyons), and toilets. The man on the right in the picture shows it was the first event to be policed using a police force (nicknamed the 'Peelers'), set up only a few years before. What is wrong with this picture? Click the picture for an answer.
The Great Exhibition was held in 1851 to show Britain was 'the workshop of the world'
Foster's Education Act in 1870 made education compulsory. This Act was one single event which had an enormous impact. Up to this time education had only been available to those who could pay. Now every child received was what called an elementary education. Poorer people had the chance to better themselves. Books, magazines, newspapers and advertising received a huge boost - there was a whole new market out there of folk who could read! Letters and postcards could be exchanged between people whose parents would never have dreamed of putting pen to paper. Later education acts, in the twentieth century, eventually made secondary, and then later, higher education, available to all. What is being shown in the picture?
		From late Victorian times all children had the chance to learn the 3Rs - reading, writing and arithmetic.
Events menu	Victorian menu	What has changed?