Determinanten der preußischen Alphabetisierung im 19. Jahrhundert

Abstract

This article explores on the base of recruit exa minations the development and central social causes of the Prussian literacy process in the 19th century. Our research confirms for Prussia too: the (early) industrialization has not hindered the progress of literacy. On the contrary: espe cially in the regions, which were not integrated in the eco nomic transformation, an atypical stagnation of the literacy level can be observed. Apart from the economic resources in the local context, with its importance for the progress of schooling, the homogeneity of culture and language proves to be another central factor of the literacy process through schooling. Nevertheless: the history of literacy and the hi story of schooling are just not the same. Even in the 19th century literacy and schooling are social phenomenons, which are related but not identical. The difference is par ticularly explainable through the hegemonic activities of rival social groups, which bring out literal ideologies and short-term fluctuations of reading and writing, with consi derable effects for the literacy level of the masses. * Address all communications to Rainer Block, Universit?t GH Essen, FB 2, Univer sit?tsstr. 11, D-45117 Essen. Der Text res?miert einige zentrale Berunde einer Dissertation mit dem Titel 'Der Alphabetisierungsverlauf im Preu?en des 19. Jahrhunderts. Quantitative Exploratio nen aus bildungshistorischer Perspektive*. Die Arbeit ist im Peter Lang Verlag, Reihe Hochschulschriften, Frankfurt a.M. 1995 erschienen.