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"All the News That's Fit to Print"


In the late 17th century England had no history of a free and independent press. By all means if the publications was not licensed by the King and if it criticized the crown it would be shut down immediately.

James Franklin, first publishing the New England Courant in 1721 was thrown in jail for not having British approval and it criticized at the royal governor. Having done so James gave everything to Benjamin Franklin, who founded the first successful publication that carried out weather reports, interviews, and cartoons, called the Pennsylvania Gazette.

In 1733, John Peter Zenger, published the New York Weekly Journal that criticized the royal government of his policies. During trial Zenger's lawyer stated, "cause of liberty ... the liberty both of exposing arbitrary power ... by speaking and writing the truth." Zenger's material was simply the truth so he was found innocent which resulted in the stopping of the British persecution of the American Journalist.

Historians argue that the American Revolution would not have happen when it did happen without the colonial newspapers. After the Stamp Act, editors and publishers united in support of independence. Materials have influence the colonials to see England as an enemy. As the war was over, newspapers had become powerful. American Newspapers were seen as: "a press committed to telling the truth, not pleasing the government."


 * Questions:**

1. Do you argue that the press was a big spark for the American Revolution?

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