Maybe that’s not exactly what Francis Scott Key wrote during the shelling of Fort McHenry, but it is certain that without the printing press the American Revolution may have never happened. That’s because the printing press was America’s first collective voice. During this time freedom of speech was not protected and printing was the only way to spread information on a large scale. Even before the first shots of the Revolutionary War, British and Colonial newspapers took verbal shots at each other in the form of print, fighting for the hearts and minds of the Colonists. It was this struggle that eventually led to war.
During the 18th century, most early Americans received their news through newspaper. By 1775 during the beginning of the outbreak of the war, the number of newspapers exploded, giving Americans updates on the war and a forum to discuss their dissatisfaction. But not all writings were in newspapers. Patriots like Thomas Paine distributed their information in pamphlets. Paine’s piece, called “Common Sense” which argued the need for independence, was printed in a quantity of one half million copies for the only few million Colonists. And quite possibly one of the most famous images ever was the depiction of the Boston Massacre made by Paul Revere. This image was so powerful in fact, that the British hoped they could contain its spread. But thanks to the early post office and overnight riders, the newspaper was distributed to all the colonies.
Because of these early events of bravery by our founding fathers, we are able to enjoy the freedoms we have today. While the printing press was not invented in the United States, it has become a symbol of free speech and is distinctly American. Since the earliest days that we have called ourselves Americans, printing has helped give us a voice to freely express information and opinions. When we refer to freedom of the press, it’s because under British rule it was considered a crime to print anything which criticized the government. The decisions made more than 200 years ago to fight for the freedom of speech have shaped our county today. If colonist would have chosen to go silently, never raising their voices, we would all be eating fish and chips! Kidding aside, printing is a part of our culture, and without it we wouldn’t be who we are.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
-Bill of Rights, First Amendment
