AL

Chapter 1 Notes

Historical Overview of Mass Media Development

Part 1

  1. Introduction to Mass Media Evolution

    • The current mass communication system in the U.S. differs significantly from the past and will continue to evolve.

    • The development of mass media is tied to societal changes over time.

  2. Early American Settlements

    • 1620: The Pilgrims arrived in America on the Mayflower and established New Plymouth.

    • Life in New Plymouth: Limited communication, primarily through personal conversation, religious services, and scarce reading materials due to poor lighting and literacy rates.

  3. Contrast with Modern Media

    • Past vs. Present: Early Americans had minimal access to media, whereas today’s citizens have instant access to a wide range of media content through various technologies (cable, internet, social media, etc.).

  4. Mass Media and Society

    • The American mass communication system is embedded in its broader societal context and has evolved with societal changes.

    • Key questions:

      • How did the U.S. develop such a complex media system?

      • What social, cultural, and economic factors shaped it?

      • Why is there limited government control over media content compared to other countries?

  5. Influence of Cultural Values

    • U.S. media is shaped by cultural values, which have influenced its political, economic, and legal systems.

    • Historical events (e.g., the American Revolution, Industrial Revolution) have significantly impacted media development.

  6. Reciprocal Influence

    • Mass media has a profound influence on society, affecting individuals' purchasing decisions, recreation, political participation, and overall economic health.

    • Media consumption shapes various aspects of American life.

  7. Purpose of Study

    • Understanding the development of mass media helps in comprehending contemporary media systems and their future trajectory.

    • The chapter aims to provide a historical framework for understanding the structure and functioning of modern mass media.

  8. Legacy of Early Period (1600s)

    • Early American colonies laid the foundation for the shared values and culture influencing today’s media system.

    • Key areas to explore:

      • Economic Values: How early economic systems influenced media.

      • Political Values: The role of media in shaping political independence.

      • Early Print Media: The impact of newspapers and other print media in early American society.

Part 2

1. Mercantilism and Capitalism

  • Mercantilism (Early 1600s):

    • Concept: Trade-based economic system aiming for profit through buying and selling goods.

    • Industrialization: Machines for production, starting late 1700s.

    • Modern Capitalism: Focus on profits from goods/services production and resource exploitation.

  • Trade Expansion:

    • European merchants sent ships to Asia for profitable goods (spices, silk).

    • Columbus and other explorers were driven by profit motives to explore new territories.

  • Colonial Ventures:

    • Early English settlements (e.g., Bermuda, Jamestown, Plymouth) were commercial enterprises.

    • Objective: Exploit local resources (crops, fish) to profit by exporting to England.

    • Private Enterprise: Risking capital for potential gain was integral to the colonial economy.

  • Controlled Capitalism:

    • Today’s capitalism includes government regulations.

    • Economic motivations were central in colonization and continue to influence modern economic systems.

2. Local and Autonomous Government

  • Early Local Governance:

    • Colonists established local governments for stability and self-management.

    • Mayflower Compact (1620): Rules for governance created by Pilgrims before landfall.

    • Fundamental Orders (1639): Early Massachusetts document resembling U.S. Constitution.

  • Resentment of External Control:

    • Early autonomy fostered a long-standing resistance to distant governmental authority, influencing American political culture.

3. Separation of Church and State

  • Religious Settlements:

    • Pilgrims (New Plymouth): Sought religious freedom, separate from the Church of England.

    • Puritans (Massachusetts Bay Colony): Aimed to purify Anglican beliefs, also sought religious freedom.

  • Enduring Principle:

    • Separation of Church and State became a fundamental aspect of American political culture and influenced media freedom.

4. Frontier Mentality and Individualism

  • Exploitation of Resources:

    • Colonists exploited abundant natural resources (fishing, whaling, agriculture).

    • Economic Practices: Land exploitation, resource depletion, and westward expansion.

  • Population Growth:

    • Rapid population increase led to intensified resource exploitation.

    • By the 1800s, significant environmental changes (deforestation, resource depletion).

  • Frontier Values:

    • Emphasis on individualism and self-reliance.

    • Resistance to government regulation and control, promoting a rugged, independent mentality.

  • Impact on Media:

    • Values of personal responsibility and minimal government interference influenced the development of American mass communication systems.

Part 3

1. Social Structure and Equality

  • Absence of Aristocracy:

    • Northern Colonies: More democratic with fewer social distinctions. No rigid class system as seen in Europe.

    • Southern Colonies:

      • Large landholdings and slavery led to an unofficial aristocracy.

      • Majority were poor subsistence farmers, creating a contrast between wealthy landowners and common farmers.

  • Cultural Impact:

    • Emphasis on equality and individual worth.

    • Beliefs: Every citizen had equal rights and opportunities, shaping the nation's political values.

2. Economic System and Capitalism

  • Mercantilism:

    • Concept: Trade-focused economic system where colonies produced raw materials and England supplied finished goods.

    • Economic Prosperity: Both colonies and England benefited, with the colonies providing resources and England providing processed goods.

  • Transition to Controlled Capitalism:

    • Early capitalism was based on private enterprise with economic motivations and minimal government interference.

    • Evolved into a system with government regulations.

3. Political Structure and Local Government

  • Colonial Governance:

    • Early Structure: Each colony had a governor (appointed by the king) and local legislative bodies elected by property-owning men.

    • Government Forms: Familiar three-part government (executive, legislative, and judicial) laid the groundwork for the U.S. Constitution.

  • Local Autonomy:

    • Mayflower Compact: Self-governance agreement made before landing.

    • Fundamental Orders: Early constitution for Massachusetts, reflecting principles later adopted in the U.S. Constitution.

4. Growing Discontent and Revolutionary Sentiments

  • Economic and Political Dissatisfaction:

    • Trade Imbalance: Colonists bought more from England than they sold, leading to resentment.

    • Lack of Representation: Colonists had no representatives in the English Parliament, leading to the cry of “taxation without representation.”

  • Political Actions:

    • Sons of Liberty and Minute Men: Groups resisting British control and stockpiling arms.

    • Stamp Act (1765): Tax on official documents, leading to outrage over taxation without representation.

    • Boston Tea Party (1773): Protest against tea taxes, symbolizing resistance to British rule.

  • Formation of Continental Congress:

    • Declaration of Independence (1776): Formal separation from England, announced by the Continental Congress with significant media coverage.

5. Role of Newspapers in the Independence Movement

  • Media's Role:

    • Watchdog Function: Early newspapers became crucial in exposing government transgressions and promoting independence.

    • Risks and Advocacy: Publishers faced legal risks but played a key role in rallying public support for independence.

  • Impact on Media:

    • Established the precedent for a free press as a critical component of democracy.

    • The role of journalists as societal watchdogs emerged from early colonial experiences.

Part 4

1. Overview of the 1800s: Rapid Transformation

  • Industrial Revolution: Marked a period of intense societal and technological change.

  • Transportation Evolution:

    • Early 1800s: Travel by foot, horse, or horse-drawn carriage.

    • Mid-1800s: Introduction of steam engines revolutionized transportation, including trains reaching speeds of 45 mph and telegraphs transmitting messages at 186,000 miles per second.

2. Expansion of the United States

  • Territorial Growth:

    • Acquisition of lands from France and Mexico expanded U.S. boundaries.

    • Native American displacement and forced relocations to reservations.

  • Immigration Policies:

    • Encouraged European immigration to populate and develop new territories.

3. The Industrial Revolution and Its Impact

  • Steam Engine:

    • Transition from wind, water, and muscle power to steam power.

    • Enabled advancements in transportation and manufacturing.

  • Printing Press Innovations:

    • Cylinder-Type Press (1830s): Enabled faster and more efficient printing, transforming the newspaper industry.

    • Penny Press (1834): Affordable newspapers targeting a broad audience, driven by industrial advancements and increased literacy.

  • Literacy and Education:

    • Horace Mann’s Reforms: Established compulsory public education, enhancing literacy and expanding the newspaper readership.

  • Advertising Growth:

    • Industrialization led to increased production and a demand for advertising, boosting newspaper profitability and growth.

4. Transportation Developments

  • Canals and Railroads:

    • Erie Canal (Early 1800s): 363-mile canal connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes, facilitating commerce and settlement in the Midwest.

    • Railroads: Expanded significantly in the 1840s, linking coasts and boosting transportation efficiency.

5. Communication Technologies

  • Telegraph (1844):

    • Samuel Morse: Developed a reliable telegraph system and Morse code, revolutionizing long-distance communication.

    • Transatlantic Cable (1866): Enabled high-speed global communication, linking the U.S. with Europe.

  • Photography (1839):

    • Daguerreotype: Early photography technique laid the groundwork for photojournalism and the film industry.

6. Territorial Expansion and Media Influence

  • Louisiana Purchase (1803):

    • Napoleon’s Sale: Vast territory acquired, significantly expanding U.S. land holdings and setting the stage for further development and media coverage.

  • New York City’s Media Hub:

    • Economic dominance and large population established New York City as a center for American media industries.