What underlying cause has led to the establishment of a public education system in the United States, aimed at providing free education to children?

The main reason the United States created a free public education system was the belief that an educated, literate citizenry was essential for a healthy democracy and a growing industrial economy. Early American leaders argued that if children could read, write, and think critically, they could participate in government, vote responsibly, and fill skilled jobs needed for rapid economic development. This idea was rooted in Enlightenment thinking, which emphasized reason, equality, and the right of all people to learn. A small example is the 1839 Massachusetts law that made schools free and compulsory, showing how the state stepped in to provide schooling for all children regardless of family wealth. Over time this policy grew into the nationwide system we see today, aiming to give every child a chance to succeed.