Premium Essay

John Peter Zenger Trial

Submitted By
Words 1164
Pages 5
Self government is a government of a country by its own people, especially after having been a colony and a democracy is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. Prior to 1776, traces of self government and democracy can be dated back to occurrences by the 13 British North American Colonies such as the House of Burgesses and the Trial of John Peter Zenger in New York. The House of Burgesses was America's first representative assembly for making laws .The Trial of John Peter Zenger in New York was a trial that played an essential role in acquiring freedom of the press. These events established self government and democracy long before the Declaration of Independence was written and are significant because it helped shaped America’s government. …show more content…
John Peter Zenger, a German American printer and journalist, was accused of a written defamation, libel for the publication called the New York Weekly Journal that harshly depicted the actions of the corrupt royal governor, William S. Cosby. However, with assistance from the most famous lawyer in the colonies, Andrew Hamilton of Philadelphia, Zenger was found to be innocent. Hamilton had stated in the trial as to why Zenger should not be guilty that, "It is not the cause of one poor printer," he claimed, "but the cause of liberty" ("The Trial of John Peter Zenger"). As a result, this event cause the eventual freedom of the press passed in the First

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

John Peter Zenger Trial Analysis

...The trial of John Peter Zenger lead to the beginning of a very large step for America during there rule under the British. Working as a printer for the New York Weekly Journal John Zenger was in charge of publicizing information for the New York colonist. In this time the colonists were under strict scrutiny having to limit what is said in the pubic eye. This idea did not allow the people of New York to get a full understanding on who and how their leaders were conducting themselves politically. Poor use of appointed government power by the King began to catch the attention of many. The leaders placed in power by the King were only there due to their connections and family ties. Once other officials in power caught on to these wrongful acts...

Words: 1332 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

History of Journalism (Basic)

...(“Audience”)—though few people are familiar with how newspapers began, the important events that occurred, or the inventions that were created that make them what they are today. Though there are many important factors to consider, the three most important aspects of the history of journalism include the Zenger Trial, the invention of the telegraph, and the introduction of photojournalism. Primarily, the first essential component in the growth of journalism would be the Zenger Trial. The trial was of John Peter Zenger, who was accused of libel in an article he had published. At his time, however, published information was considered libel if it went against the government. Zenger was proven not guilty, and after the trial, newspaper publishers “felt freer to print their honest views” (“The Trial of John Peter Zenger”). This trial is important because it proved that citizens had a right to criticize the government, which is something newspapers still continue to do today. Without this, the public would not be able to see some truths behind actions taken by the government, and it should be every individual’s right to express their opinion on his government. Additionally, the trial helped to start a free press without libel, influencing the First Smith !2 Amendment of the United States (Linder). If this had not happened, many of the articles published today would not be allowed. Though the...

Words: 754 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Voice of Freedom

...Voices of Freedom Week Two William Penn, Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges and Liberties (1701) 1) What are Penn’s arguments in favor of religious liberty? William Penn argument was to hold the spirit of God to make a live within all people, not just elect. It was also about the Bible, and the teachings of the clergy to offer the guidance in spiritual matters. Thus, the government could not enforce in religious worship in the colony. Penn principled the religious toleration, although office holding to Christians was limited. 2) Why does the document refer to “the right of the free born subjects of England? “Free born subjects of England” was the right where promises would be enjoyed by the colonists. For the well governing of the colonial territories and provinces, there was an Assembly yearly chosen by the freemen. The Assembly should have a power to choose Speakers and officers, prepare Bills in order to pass the Laws. It should have all powers and privileges for an Assembly, according to the rights of the free born subjects of England. Nathaniel Bacon on Bacon's Rebellion (1676) 1) What are the rebel's complaints against the government of Virginia? The government wasn't caring about the settlers welfare when it came to attacks brought on by the Native American's, and that was the complaint the rebel's had against the government of Virginia. 2) Do Bacon and his followers envision any place for Indians in Virginia society? In Bacon and his followers eyes they...

Words: 760 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

George Washington Debate

...original railing where Washington had been inaugurated were preserved. These historical artifacts became key components of the Federal Hall Memorial Site, built on the premises of Federal Hill in 1842. Designated as a national memorial on August 11, 1955. In front of the memorial site still stands the bronze George Washington statue by John Quincy Adams Ward to commemorate the location where Washington was sworn in. The memorial, located on 26 Wall Street, is open free to the public from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. and is operated by the National Park Service. The buildings exhibit galleries feature artifacts from Federal Hall’s key events, such as the bible Washington swore in on and artifacts from the Zenger trial. Even though the memorial building is not the place where Zenger had been tried and Washington had been sworn it, it stands as a testament to the legacy of the original Federal Hall. As a building, it served several purposes that became critical in forming the United States familiar to us in modern times. Without the Zenger case, history would not have set such a strong precedent for the necessity of freedom of press: “The John Peter Zenger trial would lead the way for the First Amendment to the Constitution to the United States of America.” The Federal Hall’s political relevance in, not only the history of New York, but that of the United States, cannot be argued against. As current presidents and national leaders commemorate its importance, the general public is able to reflect...

Words: 788 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Why Did The 13 Colonies Establish Their Own Identity?

...The colonies shared a potential threat from the Indians which pushed them closer militarily, while the Zenger Trial and the Albany Plan of Union began to establish a political freedom. The result of the Zenger Trial was a beginning of freedom of the press after John Peter Zenger and his libel were proved innocent, but only because other colonists had defended him in the trial. About twenty years later, Ben Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union of 1754, which attempted to create a unified government for all colonies along with a separation of government powers and a defense plan before the French and Indian War. The plan did not pass, but it was a major first step to colonial unity and continued creating an American identity. Years later, an American identity had been further created when the French and Indian war proved the colonists as stronger militarily and the Americans disobey the Britain’s Proclamation of 1763 forbidding the colonists to settle west of the Appalachians...

Words: 760 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Capitol Building Research Paper

...There, Zenger was initially arrested for libel against the British monarchy during the days of colonial America. The German American journalist was the publisher of The New York Weekly Journal, a city newspaper that came under fire as Zenger used the medium to voice his critiques on the colonial governor William Cosby through the use of satire. The newspaper had been in print for two years, gaining popularity amongst readers and his fellow newspaper editors for its witty approach to political commentary. Zenger's lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, managed to defend his use of satire as a form of free speech, concluding his defense by asserting his right to “both of exposing and opposing tyrannical power by speaking and writing truth." Hamilton’s solid defense and impassioned delivery helped encourage the term “Philadelphia lawyer” as a lawyer impartial to no other institution but the law. The defense also inspired the court to acquit Zenger on all libel charges, sending waves of jubilation throughout the city. Zenger’s satire and Hamilton’s defense had set an example legitimizing the right to freedom of press, an ever-important inclusion into the Bill of Rights later in September of 1789. The relevancy of this freedom...

Words: 707 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Jury Nullification

...criminal justice system, the jury plays a significant role in the fate of a defendant who is on trial. The jury’s role is to evaluate the facts presented by both the prosecution and the defense, and decide whether those facts are substantial enough to convict, or not to convict, a person of the crime for which they are accused. This has been a cornerstone of American justice since before the country’s birth. The right of a trial by a jury of peers is an inalienable right guaranteed to everyone, and is protected by the Constitution. The rights of a jury are also inherent. A jury has a right to nullify, or disregard, the instructions of a court and the facts of a case in coming to a decision. Oftentimes, however, juries are intentionally not informed of this right. Many critics of jury nullification claim that its excercise and application leads to a lawless society (Scheflin, Van Dyke, 1991: 424). California’s jury instructions state that the jury must perform their duty uninfluenced by pity or sentiment for a defendant or passion or prejudice against them, while Maryland’s jury instructions state that while the facts about what the law says are meant to be helpful they may disregard them as they see fit (Bonsignore, et al:428). The practice of jury nullification in the United States dates back to the colonial period of our nation. In 1735, John Peter Zenger was arrested by the British government and charged with printing inflammatory content against...

Words: 820 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Trump

...Manhattan, in 1664, the year England took control and renamed it "New York". A permanent European presence in New Netherland began in 1624 – making New York the 12th oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental United States [89] – with the founding of a Dutch fur trading settlement on Governors Island. In 1625, construction was started on a citadel and a Fort Amsterdam on Manhattan Island, later called New Amsterdam (Nieuw Amsterdam).[90][91] The colony of New Amsterdam was centered at the site which would eventually become Lower Manhattan. The Dutch colonial Director-General Peter Minuit purchased the island of Manhattan from the Canarsie, a small band of the Lenape,[92] in 1626 for a value of 60 guilders[93] (about $1000 in 2006);[94] a disproved legend says that Manhattan was purchased for $24 worth of glass beads.[95][96] In 1664, Peter Stuyvesant, the Director-General of the colony of New Netherland, surrendered New Amsterdam to the English without bloodshed. The English promptly renamed the fledgling city "New York" after...

Words: 1348 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Federal Gov

...of the nick name was mostly used to disassociate from the vast amount of evil doing. 2) Political Philosophy and Political theory d. Asks normative as well as empirical question. i. Normative is about value such as the best form of government and justice ii. Empirical is more about factual such as the amount of states or colonies. 1. Aristottle 5th BC and teacher of natural law theory and about natural inequality. a. Very similar about the natural rights theory of John locke’s, written some time in the 1680s. This are the same as the one that Thomas Jefferson’s work in the Declaration of Independence. That by, nature have the right to have the same amount of equality of political rights. e. Karl Marx – founder of the ideal of the communism in Europe. Social democratic of the western Europe derive from the ideas of Marx. The Russian social democratic party. f. John Jack Rousseau – people in primitive society were better off morality than the one in the current because the current corrupt our hearts. g. Transperancy.org and surveys all countries of the world and rates...

Words: 4651 - Pages: 19

Free Essay

Federal Gov

...of the nick name was mostly used to disassociate from the vast amount of evil doing. 2) Political Philosophy and Political theory d. Asks normative as well as empirical question. i. Normative is about value such as the best form of government and justice ii. Empirical is more about factual such as the amount of states or colonies. 1. Aristottle 5th BC and teacher of natural law theory and about natural inequality. a. Very similar about the natural rights theory of John locke’s, written some time in the 1680s. This are the same as the one that Thomas Jefferson’s work in the Declaration of Independence. That by, nature have the right to have the same amount of equality of political rights. e. Karl Marx – founder of the ideal of the communism in Europe. Social democratic of the western Europe derive from the ideas of Marx. The Russian social democratic party. f. John Jack Rousseau – people in primitive society were better off morality than the one in the current because the current corrupt our hearts. g. Transperancy.org and surveys all countries of the world and rates...

Words: 4651 - Pages: 19

Premium Essay

Praise for the Extraordinary Leader

...PRAISE FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY LEADER “The Zenger Folkman leadership model is distinguished from others in that it is backed up by research and data. That data validates the effectiveness of identifying an individual’s strengths and developing them, rather than focusing on weaknesses. The Zenger Folkman philosophy has its eye on the right goal – real, measurable results.” —Bill Blase Senior Executive Vice President Human Resources AT&T Corp. “I fell in love with The Extraordinary Leader on page 1. From the moment I started reading I really got jazzed, and my enthusiasm only increased the more I read. You see, I’m just mad about books that attack cherished but unsupportable assumptions about anything, especially leadership. That’s exactly what Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman do, and they do it persuasively, precisely, and professionally. The Extraordinary Leader is no hackneyed rehashing of tired nostrums. Through their exceptional research, the authors demonstrate and prove that leadership does make a difference and that you can learn to lead. There are some profound insights in this book, and whether you’ve studied leadership for over 20 years, as I have, or you are brand new to the subject, Zenger and Folkman give you much more than your money’s worth. And while their research gives the book distinctive credibility, their examples and practical applications give it life. This is a book that scholars and practitioners will be referring to for years to come. If your goal is to...

Words: 101849 - Pages: 408

Premium Essay

Government

...Houston Community College Homework 1-5 Presented To: Lloyd W. Gaddis By Yushana Ford Government 2305 8:00A.M- 9:30A.M Mon/Wed 09/20/2015 Chapter 1: The More Things Change…The More They Stay the Same 1. Analyze current problems and issues in American Government by applying Historical perspectives: -History Repeats Itself +A new Communication medium paves the way to Electoral Victory- Meaning the internet and social media have revolutionized American politics. Campaign advertising is the use of an advertising campaign through the media to influence political debate and ultimately voters. Political advertising has changed drastically over the last several decades. Harry S. Truman was proud of his accomplishment of shaking approximately 500,000 hands but his accomplishment was soon pale compared to the next presidential election with the advent of television, war hero and presidential candidate D.W Eisenhower created commercials to get votes and so on and it different with different elections and different decades. +The Power of Incumbency- It is usually used in reference to elections where races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbents. Incumbents have easier access to campaign finance and government resources that can be indirectly used to boost a campaign. Incumbency is any elected official who is already in office and seeking re-election. 2. Explain the Philosophical underpinnings of American Political System through...

Words: 10611 - Pages: 43

Premium Essay

Julius Ceasar

...OUTLINE OF U.S. HISTORY OUTLINE OF OUTLINE OF U.S. HISTORY C O N T E N T S CHAPTER 1 Early America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 CHAPTER 2 The Colonial Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 CHAPTER 3 The Road to Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 CHAPTER 4 The Formation of a National Government . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 CHAPTER 5 Westward Expansion and Regional Differences . . . . . . . 110 CHAPTER 6 Sectional Conflict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 CHAPTER 7 The Civil War and Reconstruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 CHAPTER 8 Growth and Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 CHAPTER 9 Discontent and Reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 CHAPTER 10 War, Prosperity, and Depression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 CHAPTER 11 The New Deal and World War I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 CHAPTER 12 Postwar America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 CHAPTER 13 Decades of Change: 1960-1980 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 CHAPTER 14 The New Conservatism and a New World Order . . . . . . 304 CHAPTER 15 Bridge to the 21st Century . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 PICTURE PROFILES Becoming a Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....

Words: 104976 - Pages: 420

Premium Essay

Pols Final Exam Review

...Federal Government Exam 1 Review: The first exam will consist of questions generated from the following review sheet. Make sure you understand each of these topics before proceeding to the test. The exam will be timed so you will not have the ability to peruse your notes or retake the exam. The exam itself will consist of 30 multiple choice questions and you will have 35 minutes to complete the exam. Federalism: The Basic elements of a Federal system of government (i.e. how is it structured/how power is shared) • Layers of gov • Equal power • Distinct powers Powers of the federal government: delegated powers, implied powers (necessary and proper clause), and concurrent powers. • Delegated Powers: (expressed/enumerated powers) powers given to the federal government directly by the constitution. Some most important delegated powers are: the authority to tax, regulated interstate commerce, authority to declare war, and grants the president role of commander and chief of the military • Implied Powers: Powers not expressed in the constitution, but that can be inferred. “Necessary and proper clause” • Concurrent powers: powers shared by both levels of government. Ex: Taxes, roads, elections, commerce, establishing courts and a judicial system • Reserved powers: powers not assigned by the constitution to the national government but left to the states or the people. Guaranteed by the 10th amendment. Include “police power”-health and public...

Words: 37488 - Pages: 150

Premium Essay

Ethics

...ETHICS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Third Edition This page intentionally left blank ETHICS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Third Edition George W. Reynolds Australia • Brazil • Japan • Korea • Mexico • Singapore • Spain • United Kingdom • United States Ethics in Information Technology, Third Edition by George W. Reynolds VP/Editorial Director: Jack Calhoun Publisher: Joe Sabatino Senior Acquisitions Editor: Charles McCormick Jr. Senior Product Manager: Kate Hennessy Mason Development Editor: Mary Pat Shaffer Editorial Assistant: Nora Heink Marketing Manager: Bryant Chrzan Marketing Coordinator: Suellen Ruttkay Content Product Manager: Jennifer Feltri Senior Art Director: Stacy Jenkins Shirley Cover Designer: Itzhack Shelomi Cover Image: iStock Images Technology Project Manager: Chris Valentine Manufacturing Coordinator: Julio Esperas Copyeditor: Green Pen Quality Assurance Proofreader: Suzanne Huizenga Indexer: Alexandra Nickerson Composition: Pre-Press PMG © 2010 Course Technology, Cengage Learning ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright herein may be reproduced, transmitted, stored or used in any form or by any means graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, scanning, digitizing, taping, Web distribution, information networks, or information storage and retrieval systems, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission...

Words: 204343 - Pages: 818