Debating the Issues in Colonial Newspapers: Primary Documents on Events of the Period (Debating Historical Issues in the Media of the Time) [Hardcover]

David A. Copeland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0313309825 | ISBN-13: 978-0313309823

With this unique collection of primary source documents from colonial newspapers, students will be able to debate the issues of colonial America. Pro and con opinion pieces, letters, essays and news reports that were printed in colonial newspapers will help the reader to understand the differing viewpoints of colonial Americans on the key issues from 1690 to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Nearly 300 documents, organized chronologically by event, will help readers step back in time to debate the issues faced by 18th-century Americans. The work covers 31 events from abolition, religion, and women's rights to the Stamp Act crisis and the Boston Tea Party. For every major event or issue of the colonial period, newspapers printed the opinions of the day, in many cases attempting to influence public opinion. Issues such as medical discoveries, education, and censorship are covered in this collection along with important events such as the French and Indian War, the trial of John Peter Zenger, and the Boston Massacre. Each chapter introduces the event or issue and includes news articles, letters, essays, even poetry representing both sides of the argument as they affected Americans. Each document is preceded by an explanatory introduction. This is the only collection of primary source documents from colonial newspapers on the events of the era and will be a valuable tool for research and classroom discussion.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Copeland, a professor of mass communication at Emory and Henry College in Virginia, has authored several books and articles on the history of early American journalism. His latest monograph is a resource on the press in the colonial era. The book is arranged in 31 chapters covering topics from 1690 (the year American newspaper publishing began) to 1776. Some of the topics include "The Inoculation Controversy, 1721," "Women's Rights, 1738," and "Religious Divisions, 1740-1745." Events such as the "The Stamp Act Crisis, 1765-1766," "The Boston Massacre, 1770," and "The Battles of Lexington and Concord, 1775" are also treated.An introduction gives a brief history of newspapers and publishing in colonial America. Each chapter has the same format: an introduction followed by several documents on both sides of a controversy. These documents may include opinion pieces, letters, essays, or news reports that appeared in newspapers. Documents are preceded by brief paragraphs supplying background detail and reproduced with the original grammar and spelling intact, although it appears that some editing has been done. At the end of each chapter is a list of questions designed to help readers put the various documents in perspective and bibliographic notes to the chapter introduction. Rounding out the volume are a chronology of events and a bibliography of current books, articles, and Internet sites.There are several excellent collections of primary documents on colonial America. The multivolume Pamphlets of the American Revolu tion 1750-1776 (Harvard, 1965) only covers pamphlets. The two-volume American Political Writing During the Founding Era 1760-1805 (Liberty Press, 1983) does include complete unedited newspaper articles but surveys only politics. Debating the Issues in Colonial News papers is an excellent source for studying numerous topics of the colonial American period and should be considered for high-school, public, and undergraduate libraries. REVWR
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Review

“Recommended for undergraduate and general collections.”–Choice

“[A]llows journalism, media studies, history, and political science students a firsthand glimpse into the issues that made Colonial America....[O]ne comes away with a clear focus on the issues that fired the Revolution....For those professors looking for a seminar text regarding the role of the press in forming Colonial American public opinion, this is a thorough, 397-page option. Yet Copeland's newspaper background comes through with a short, straightforward writing style that will hold an undergraduate's attention.”–American Journalism

“[a] worthwhile read for anyone interested in advancing his/her knowledge on the issue of freedom of the press in early North America.”–Smoke & Fire News

“Debating the Issues in Colonial Newspapers is an excellent source for studying numerous topics of the colonial American period and should be considered for high-school, public, and undergraduate libraries.”–Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin

“...provides a detailed overview of each topic....The requirement of firsthand accounts in history-curriculum standards in many states will make this volume useful for both students and teachers.”–School Library Journal

“For the creative high school teacher, this volume can help lead students into discussions of the earliest forms of censorship in this country, analyze the inoculation controversy over a smallpox vaccine or compare legalizing lotteries in Massachusetts. This is a little, but mighty book.”–The GaleGroup

“Whether students refer to this book for history or science reports, for journalism or debates, all will find in this title a unique and memorable look at what the people who forged a new country thought about the issues affecting their daily lives. Recommended.”–The Book Report

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (August 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313309825
• ISBN-13: 978-0313309823
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,203,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for history geeks...., February 11, 2005

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M. White "Magistra" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Debating the Issues in Colonial Newspapers: Primary Documents on Events of the Period (Debating Historical Issues in the Media of the Time) (Hardcover)

While jounalists may enjoy this book; as a historian, it is fascinating and illuminating. I highly recommend this book for anyone intrigued by early American history.