Free Press In Colonial America Essay

Between the years of 1492 and 1865, what did people in America think it meant to be free? During the Colonial and early America, Americans valued freedom of press as critical to their concepts of freedom. Americans thought freedom of press was a very important factor in the constitution. However it did not save them from all governmental regulations. The importance of this amendment is the advancement of truth, science, religion and art (Chafee). Anyone could publish their beliefs without being persecuted. However people still had to make sure what the were saying wasn’t slander.
The concept of a free press was often tested. The enforcement of the Alien and Sedition Acts was a big one (Chafee). However, throughout most the colonial era American

In the American colonies, the idea of a free press was neither well established nor well understood (Levy). In fact, suppression of the press looked like a common fate. Colonial America was the most extraordinary diverse opinion on religion, politics, social structure, and other controversial subjects, but every community, tended to side with their orthodox ways and shut out new ideas (Levy). John Roche said, "Colonial America was an open society dotted with closed enclaves, and one could generally settle with his co-believers in safety and comfort and exercise the right of oppression” (Levy). I think at the time many Americans wanted to stand together and voice their opinions, but were too scared hiding behind their orthodoxy to do anything right away. In colonial America, the common law of criminal libel was equally separated against the selfish colonists, making the “open” discussion of public issues hazardous, if not impossible, except when colonists opposed the government (Levy). With the end of the Sedition Act the federal government was strengthened. This was not the case, however, with local and state governments seeking to eliminate political criticism. There was very high tension in the Colonial era. The government strengthening didn’t necessarily mean the end or the beginning for the freedom of press and the first Amendment. The government played just as a large and significant