Social demand for education? Statistics, society and literacy in the National Census of 1854

This paper deals indicates how widespread was literacy in Chile, in the mid-nineteenth century. Using both the data collected by the first national census of 1854 as well as the census registers of 1854, it is possible to describe the way in which the State measured its educational policy. After analyzing this information, it can be concluded that the concern of the State was to develop a policy of literacy (read and write) through a system of primary instruction; this was the sign of a civilized nation. However, from the perspective of the population, it should be asked whether such a concern was actually shared by the society. The analysis of the census registers leads to conclude the inexistence of a demand for education by the society.