More children began attending school in the late 1800s due to a combination of factors, but the statement that is most closely aligned with the historical context is that immigrants began replacing child workers in factories.
During this period, there was increasing awareness of the importance of education and various reforms aimed at reducing child labor were being implemented. Social movements advocated for compulsory education laws, which mandated that children must attend school. As immigrants entered the workforce, they often took on jobs that previously had been held by children, leading to a decline in child labor. This shift contributed to an increase in school attendance as families recognized the value of education for their children’s future prospects.
The other options, while they may carry some truth individually, do not accurately represent the broader systemic changes that led to increased school attendance during this period.