Final answer:
Compulsory education in Great Britain was likely influenced by the evolution of Enlightenment thinking about reason and societal improvement rather than directly by 'The Wealth of Nations' or 'The Communist Manifesto'. It emphasized education for societal betterment and for creating a workforce suitable for the industrial era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The law making education compulsory in Great Britain does not directly reflect the philosophy of Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations' nor does it align entirely with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’s 'The Communist Manifesto'.
Instead, compulsory education can be seen as a reflection of broader Enlightenment ideals, particularly the emphasis on reason and the betterment of society through education as hinted at in the writings of John Locke and the prioritization of individual merit, social welfare, and a government's role in protecting and improving the lives of its people.
Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations' argues for economic freedom and the prosperity it brings through free trade, which indirectly leads to improved societal conditions that could embrace education for all. Meanwhile, the Soviet ideologies found in 'The Communist Manifesto' highlight the importance of equal access to education as a means to eliminate class distinctions but is more focused on the eventual abolition of the state and private property.
It is more likely that the British compulsory education laws were influenced by the evolution of Enlightenment thinking rather than directly by either Smith's economic theories or by Marxist revolutionary ideals. These laws aimed to improve individual capability and societal conditions, aligning with broader Enlightenment values and the early industrial era’s requirements for a more educated workforce.