History Lesson 3

The Revolution and the Press

  • The role of the press during the American Revolution was pivotal in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support for independence.

Essential Reading

  • Recommended source: Reading: The Colonial Virginia Press and the Stamp Act by Roger Mellen, published in Journalism History (Summer 2012).

  • Available in Canvas under Modules: Reading 2 Stamp Act.

Colonies and Newspapers (Pre-Revolution)

  • By 1763: Newspapers suggested the existence of an American nation with distinct interests from Britain, frequently using terms like 'American' and 'Continental.'

  • Growth of Newspapers: 37 newspapers existed by 1776, growing to over 100 by 1789 as the revolution progressed.

The Stamp Act and Its Implications

  • Imposition of the Stamp Act: Took effect on November 1, 1765, mandating that all legal documents, books, and newspapers be printed on stamped paper with a tax.

  • Colonial Reactions: This act was met with fierce opposition as it was seen as taxation without representation, imposed by Britain without colonial approval.

Economic Impact of the Stamp Act

  • Financial Burden: ½ penny tax for each sheet of a 2-page paper and a penny for a 4-page paper, with an additional charge for advertisements, causing a 50% increase in costs for many papers.

  • Printer Responses: Several papers were established to oppose the Stamp Act; some printers faced closure due to financial strain.

Strangulation of the Press

  • Roger Mellen described the Stamp Act as suffocating the press; higher costs made newspapers unaffordable for many, leading to some shutting down.

Mobilization and Resistance

  • Activism Among Printers: Many printers leveraged their platforms to rally local dissent, publish accounts of resistance, and promote American identity as a vehicle for independence.

  • Example: Boston Gazette emerged as a strong opponent of the Stamp Act, where printer Benjamin Edes was influential.

Neutral and Loyalist Perspectives

  • The Virginia Gazette took a neutral stance under Joseph Royle, who may have been aligned with British interests due to his dependence on government contracts.

The Repeal of the Stamp Act

  • March 1766: The Stamp Act was repealed, fostering a newfound unity among the press, yet the imposition of the Townshend Acts presented further challenges with new taxes.

Communication Evolution

  • Printers adapted by utilizing broadsides and pamphlets to generate communication and strengthen ties across colonies, assisted by improved postal services, advertising, and rising literacy.

Divisions in the Colonial Press

  • Press became divided into Patriot and Tory factions, especially concerning boycotts of British goods.

The Boston Gazette's Influence

  • Gained significant circulation, becoming the leading Patriot paper with a circulation of 2,000 during the Revolution.

Rivington's Lying Gazette

  • James Rivington, a Tory editor, faced backlash for publishing what were considered false reports. His publication was derisively named 'Rivington’s Lying Gazette.'

Coverage of the War

  • Between 1775-1781, of 70 newspapers, only 15 were loyalist. Coverage of battles was inconsistent and without the structured reporting of war correspondents.

Major Battles and Newspaper Coverage

  • Battle of Lexington and Concord: Discrepancies existed in coverage of the battle among publications.

  • General Howe's Campaigns: Aimed to suppress the rebellion; notable defeats at Brandywine and Germantown with significant coverage from Patriot newspapers.

Impact of British Occupation

  • British occupation affected local publications; for instance, the Pennsylvania Evening Post was influenced by the British presence.

Turning Point: Battle of Saratoga

  • October 17, 1777: A decisive victory for American forces, leading to the end of the war, with coverage in Connecticut Journal.

Post-War Press and Governance Discussion

  • Debate emerged on how to govern post-war America, with press involvement crucial in discussions around freedom of the press during the drafting of the Constitution.

Philadelphia Convention and Constitutional Debate

  • May 1787: The Convention convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, where debate on the necessity of a Bill of Rights emerged.

The Question of the Bill of Rights

  • Hamilton (Federalist) argued existing freedoms were sufficient; Anti-Federalists sought clarity and assurance of rights, including freedom of the press.

State Constitutions and Local Declarations

  • Some states, like Virginia, included declarations of rights emphasizing freedom of the press as essential to liberty.

Constitutional Concerns

  • Article I, Section 8: The general welfare clause raised concerns about potential government overreach and suppression of dissenting press.

The Ratification of the Constitution

  • 1790-1791: All states ratified the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, assuaging Anti-Federalist fears, which secured press freedoms among other rights.

Additional Information:
John Adams, Hamilton, and the Federalists were fearful that the French Revolution would inspire similar uprisings in the United States and that the press would play a crucial role in disseminating revolutionary ideas, potentially leading to chaos and disorder.

Adams Federalists supported Britain because they believed that a strong relationship with Britain would help maintain stability and counter the influence of revolutionary France.

Jefferson opposed Jay’s treaty. He thought it favored British interests over those of the United States and undermined the nation's independence, further fueling the divide between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. He was also sympathetic to the ideals of the French Revolution. Of course, it was violent, he thought. Still, if the ideals were to take root in America, they could inspire a similar quest for liberty and equality, ultimately benefiting the nation.

John Adams was fearful of the Irish and the French immigrants who opposed the federalist pro-British policy. This fear stemmed from his belief that their influence could sway public opinion against the government, potentially leading to unrest and destabilization during a critical period in the nation's early development.

1794 Whiskey Rebellion armed tax revolt in Pennsylvania

1798, the alien and sedition acts

could deport foreigners

Lengthen the time for citizenship

Prohibited speech that criticized the government, leading to significant debates about the limits of free expression in a democratic society.

This completely undermined the Zenger case, which was pivotal in establishing the principle of freedom of the press and the importance of a free exchange of ideas.

Sedition Act 1798: Seditious libel was now a federal case. The Act states that any false or malicious writing against the government could lead to fines or imprisonment, thereby raising concerns about the potential for government overreach and the suppression of dissenting voices. The Act was seen as a direct attempt to silence political opposition and curb citizens' rights, igniting fierce debates over the balance between national security and individual liberties.

  • Alien Act 1798: This law extended the duration of residency required for immigrants to become U.S. citizens from five to fourteen years, reflecting the government's desire to limit the influence of foreign nationals in political affairs. Additionally, the Act authorized the president to deport any non-citizen deemed dangerous, further exacerbating fears of discrimination and xenophobia within the immigration process.

  • Sedition Act 1798: This law made it a crime to publish false, scandalous, and malicious writings against the government, which was seen as an infringement on the First Amendment rights and a method to suppress dissenting voices.

  • The Adams's position on this was controversial, thinking that if you guys hadn’t supported the acts and ideals of the French Revolution, He wouldn't have to have implemented such laws

  • Knoxville Newspaper : The local publication played a significant role in opposing the Sedition Act, publishing editorials that argued for the protection of free speech and the rights of citizens to criticize their government without fear of retribution.

  • Newark Newspaper: The Newark Newspaper similarly challenged the Sedition Act by advocating for journalistic freedom and encouraging public discourse on government actions, thereby fostering a community of resistance against oppressive legislation.

  • Mr. Luther Baldwin drunken comments about John Adams wishing he was didn’t play well for him

  • The Aurora, A very pro-Jefferson newspaper, took a strong stance against the Sedition Act, using its platform to rally support for Jeffersonian ideals and to criticize the Federalist administration's attempts to stifle dissent.

  • The Jeffersonian publications are essentially saying why we are worried about the French; they’re seeking ideals of liberty and self-governance, emphasizing the importance of individual rights and the dangers of a strong central government.

  • Matthew Lyon of Vermont was a prominent figure in the opposition to the Sedition Act, using his voice to advocate for free speech and the rights of citizens, which resonated with the Jeffersonian message of resisting federal overreach. Essentially saying Adams was acting like a king and should be sent to the mad house

  • Under the Sedition Act, Lyon was sent to prison in Vermont as a result