Belgrade’s artisans and tradesmen were the main force behind economic progress. Guilds enabled united front and influence on managing affairs in all areas of their activities. Education and professional training of artisans was legally regulated by Law on Workshops. In 1884 a railway station was built, quickly turning Belgrade into largest railway crossing in the Balkans, which also had a great impact on economic development. On the initiative of businessmen, who invested their own resources and with a loan from the Municipality of Belgrade, a fair was built on the left bank of river Sava, officially opened 11th September 1937. Fairs were organized on international level with numerous showmen and visitors, making this part of Europe prestigious from the beginning.
Health Services
First city hospital was built based on decree on building the city hospital of 1840 and with contributions by people of Belgrade and the Board of Ladies, and land donated by Prince Mihailo and Ilija Milosavljević Kolarac. The hospital was able to receive first patients in 1868. Serbian Medical Society was founded in 1872, and Red Cross Society (on voluntary basis) in aid of wounded in war in 1876.
After World War I the Foundation of Scottish Women, the Society of Women Doctors of Belgrade, Ladies of Belgrade and Belgrade businessmen built hospitals and other social institutions.
Education
The Great School (Velika škola) was founded in 1808. Between 1838 and 1841 this institution was based in Kragujevac under the name of Lyceum, and then it relocated back to Belgrade. In 1863 Captain Miša Anastasijević erected a building, which he donated to his fatherland. It became the building of Lyceum, whose name changed to The Great school – Academy. Today it houses rectorship of Belgrade University.
The oldest elementary school was located near the cathedral church. Schools were founded by foreigners as well. Thus Jewish, Greek, Turkish and German schools were founded in Belgrade. In 1882 Law on Primary Schools was passed, which implemented obligatory school attendance.
The First male grammar school was founded in 1839, the First female grammar school only in 1905. Professional schools were also in Belgrade.
Culture
Despite diverse cultural-artistic life, main hindrance of its fast progress was lack of institutions and space. After several decades of endeavour the National Theatre was finally built in 1869.
Ilija Milosavljević Kolarac (1800–1878), tradesmen and benefactor, bequeathed all his possession for cultural and educational purposes. In 1861 he established Literature Fund, which published 120 titles up until 1924.
On the initiative of Branislav Nušić (1864–1938), author, journalist and diplomat, Society of Friends of Arts “Cvijeta Zuzorić” was founded in 1922, and Arts Pavilion was erected in Mali Kalemegdan in 1929. The pavilion held exhibitions of famous Yugoslavian and world renowned artists. Painter Milena Pavlović- Barilli exhibited there in her early period.
Woman in the Process of Modernisation
Legal discrimination of women in patriarchal environment was unable to stop their emancipation. Schooling enabled them to change their role in society. In 1927 Association of University Educated Women was founded. Although all democratic movements in Serbia were of the opinion that women should have equal rights as men, many obstacles had to be removed before radical changes occurred. Women’s question was just a small part of long-term process of modernisation.