Icelandic society changed radically in the 19th century with the first stages of development of a European style urban community, with freedom to trade, a monetary system and a new division of classes. The new society brought ideas about freedom and rights for the people, manifested in associations and societies and elections to Parliament and to municipalities. The right to vote was initially limited to the property owning classes but gradually became more general. In 1915, women and workers without property gained the right to vote. Urban development brought cultural winds of change, theatre, music and the press. The towns led the way in politics and culture, new work practices called for more education and formal schooling.