LAD/Blog #2: Peter Zenger
1.) Who was Peter Zenger?
Zenger was the printer for the New York Weekly Journal, which had published accusations of tyranny and mistreatment of people's rights about New York Governor Cosby. Because of this Governor Cosby decided to go after Peter Zenger, on the assumption that without a printer, the Journal would not be able to be published. This led to Zenger's arrest.
2.) What was the controversy over his charges?
Zenger's arrest was made controversial when his lawyer, Andrew Hamilton made clear to the jury that his charge, publishing of seditious libel, required for the information published by his newspaper to be false. Since Zenger had only published true information, the Jury acquitted (good wordel) him of his charges.
3.) What influence did his case have on American governmental traditions?
Though his case did not have any immediate impacts, it was cemented in the general public's mind, and which was embodied by the Bill of Rights in 1798, which cemented free speech as a right for all US citizens and the press.
4.) What is the lasting significance of his trial?
The significance of this trial which can still be seen today is the establishment of the Bill of Rights within the Constitution. Since the Constitution is still used today as law, the Freedom of Speech laws established by it are still in use today.
Zenger was the printer for the New York Weekly Journal, which had published accusations of tyranny and mistreatment of people's rights about New York Governor Cosby. Because of this Governor Cosby decided to go after Peter Zenger, on the assumption that without a printer, the Journal would not be able to be published. This led to Zenger's arrest.
2.) What was the controversy over his charges?
Zenger's arrest was made controversial when his lawyer, Andrew Hamilton made clear to the jury that his charge, publishing of seditious libel, required for the information published by his newspaper to be false. Since Zenger had only published true information, the Jury acquitted (good wordel) him of his charges.
3.) What influence did his case have on American governmental traditions?
Though his case did not have any immediate impacts, it was cemented in the general public's mind, and which was embodied by the Bill of Rights in 1798, which cemented free speech as a right for all US citizens and the press.
4.) What is the lasting significance of his trial?
The significance of this trial which can still be seen today is the establishment of the Bill of Rights within the Constitution. Since the Constitution is still used today as law, the Freedom of Speech laws established by it are still in use today.
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