Before the Civil War, only Massachusetts and New York enacted compulsory education laws. After the Civil War, states followed suit. By the end of 19, two-thirds of states had enacted compulsory education laws. The length of compulsory education varies from state to state, mostly 8 years. 19 18, 19 19 Mississippi and Jaaramaa finally passed compulsory education laws. Up to now, it has taken more than 60 years for the United States to basically popularize compulsory education.