From Ancient Rome to “Cato’s Letters”

Introduction: Before the American

Revolution & Freedom of the Press

How would you receive important information if you could not:

Use any modern technology: phones, computers, TV, or radio

Use electricity or batteries

The Value of Communication

How would you receive important information if you could not:

Acquire a newspaper

Read or write

Easily travel between communities

The Value of Communication

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueH3ihTN4OI

News by Word of MouthAncient Rome: The Senate Crier

acta diurnaHand-lettered “newspaper”posted on walls of Roman Forum (59 b.c. to 222 a.d.)

Elite used personal correspondents to receive & relay information

Ancient Rome

acta diurna

Evidence of a fairly literate society among patricians, wealthy plebians, & some slaves

Latin & Greek

Ancient Rome

Community elders

MinistersMinstrels

Oral Tradition:

Elite & clergy employed scribes to produce handwritten books & documents

Very expensive to produce

Before the Printing Press

Knowledge, education mostly limited to upper class

Majority of the common people are illiterate

Before the Printing Press

Johannes Gutenberg (1400-1467)

Inventor of movable typeBirth of mass mediaRenaissance, Reformation & scientific revolution

Gutenberg Bible

The Printing Press

Social Changes:Knowledge more easily shared

Popular literature Printer-merchants gain social prestige

Print shops become gathering places

The Printing Press

Social Changes:Priests interact with scholars

Scholars interact with tradesmen

Church no longer controls theological texts

The Printing Press

King Henry VIII (1491-1547)

Concerned printed word could fuel rebellion

Separated from Catholic Church over divorce

Silenced press

Press Restrictions

King Henry VIII (1491-1547)

Agencies oversee printed material:Stationers’ CompanyCourt of High Commission

Court of Star Chamber

Press Restrictions

British MonarchyQueen Mary I

1553-1558

Queen Elizabeth I1558-1603

King James I1603-1625

Press Restrictions

John Milton (1608-1674)King Charles I: No pamphlets printed without a license

Authored unlicensed pamphlets

Freedom of Speech?

John Milton (1608-1674)Criticized press control & Church of England

Aeropagitica, 1644

The “self-righting principle”

Freedom of Speech?

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

English philosopher

Leviathan, 1651

Supported rule of monarchy

Freedom of Speech?

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

Authority & control necessary for social orderState guarantees peace & order

Citizens swear obedience

Freedom of Speech?

John Locke (1632-1704)

English Philosopher

A ruler loses the right to rule if community needs are ignored

Freedom of Speech?

John Locke (1632-1704)Government thrives under consent of governed

People have a right to rise up against tyranny

Freedom of Speech?

“Cato’s Letters” (1720-1723)John Trenchard (1662-1723)

Thomas Gordon (1685-1750)Wrote about religious & personal freedoms

Remained anonymous to avoid prosecution

Freedom of Speech?

“Cato’s Letters” (1720-1723)

Libel against government should be unlawful, but not against rulers

Press obligated to expose government corruption

Freedom of Speech?

Conclusion & Review:Before the printing pressJohannes GutenbergBritish monarchy press restrictionsJohn MiltonThomas HobbesJohn Locke“Cato’s Letters”

Before Freedom of the Press