1. Limited government involvement in education: Before the Civil War, the federal government played a limited role in education. Education was primarily the responsibility of local communities and states. As a result, there was no nationwide standard for education, and the availability of schools varied widely from one region to another.
2. Low demand for education: In the early 19th century, many Americans did not see the value of formal education. They believed that children were better off learning practical skills from their parents or through apprenticeships. This was especially true in rural areas, where families relied on children for labor.
3. High costs of education: Even when schools were available, they were often expensive. Tuition fees were common, and families had to pay for their children's books and supplies. This made it difficult for many families to afford to send their children to school.
4. Discrimination: African American children were generally not allowed to attend white schools. In some states, it was even illegal to teach African American children to read and write. This discrimination severely limited the educational opportunities for African American children.
As a result of these factors, few children in America attended schools prior to the Civil War. It is estimated that only about 10% of children between the ages of 5 and 19 attended school in 1860.