Foundations for American Communication

During and after the American Revolution, "had profound effects on communication." (Starr 64) The revolution brought about a Republic and Democratic society where the people ran the government. This meant that the responsibility of a good citizen was to keep up with the times and the newspaper was their greatest tool for receiving information. (Starr 64) The idea of the colonists being well informed was not enough to run the government; what gave these people the greatest power was for the first time they had the freedom to speak out. "The revolution dignified their right to speak up-literally..." as did the events that they protested to leading up to the revolution which is why freedom of speech became so popular.
Ultimately, when analyzing the American Revolution people only see our country being freed from British tyranny, but in fact our culture changed forever with the new development of our government. Communicating with not only one another at all times became significant but to speak out against anybody in society is what still separates our country from others today. The press not only started propaganda for the Revolution but it gave the people of the thirteen colonies a chance at a national identity and to form common interests out in the open. (Starr 70)

*Join or Die, by Benjamin Franklin was recycled to encourage the former colonies to unite against British rule. *