Time Period 1600-2000

Foreign influences began to be felt in education; there was growing emphasis on general education, as well as knowledge of religious matters.

By now printed material was largely secular, and easily accessible. Publications were often motivated by the wish to enlighten, and to encourage progress and improvement. Organised teaching of reading commenced in the 18th century; by the end of the century most Icelanders were literate.

During the middle ages, corporal punishment was inflicted, in accord with the Jónsbók legal code, but after the Reformation more stringent penalties were introduced. By the terms of the Great Verdict of 1571, severe penalties were exacted for minor offences, while for serious crimes the death penalty was imposed. Men were beheaded, women drowned. The Lögrétta (Law Council) at Alþingi was Iceland’s highest court, until 1661 when the Danish supreme court was founded. Iceland did not have its own High Court until 1801.

During the 19th century national consciousness grew in Iceland. Alþingi, which was abolished in 1800, was re-established in 1845 as an advisory body, and granted legislative powers in 1874 under the first constitution.

Nurturing the language was an important factor in the campaign for greater autonomy; this reflected international trends of the time, such as the Romantic movement which idealised history and past glories. Associations and social movements played a growing role in society, while the individual as such was also of increasing importance.

Many of the ideas and social changes which appeared in the 19th century did not begin to affect society until the 20th. Ever more emphasis was placed on education, and in the early 20th century compulsory education was introduced, and the University of Iceland was founded.

The 20th century saw the introduction of new means of promulgating and distributing entertainment, such as the cinema and radio.

The cinema retained its primacy until television was introduced in the second half of the century, superseding to some extent the cinema, press and radio in spreading news and international cultural trends to Iceland.

The foundation of the modern Republic of Iceland in 1944 marked the final stage in the campaign for independence, which had been in progress for over a century. After this, economic autonomy was achieved by gaining control of the fishing grounds after the “Cod Wars” in the latter half of the century.