LAD/Blog #2: John Peter Zenger Trial

1.) Who was Peter Zenger?

Peter Zenger was the printer of the New York Weekly Journal, and a critic of the governor at the time.

2.) What was the controversy over his charges?

Zenger was charged between seditious libel. The judge overseeing the case, among others, intended to imprison Zenger despite the validity of the claims put forward. Zenger's lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, formulated the claim that what Zenger had been printing was not libelous if truthful. This was a nearly unbeatable defense and ultimately saved Zenger from imprisonment.

3.) What influence did his case have on American governmental traditions?

Hamilton's successful defense of Zenger provided a precedent for and affirmed freedom of the press within the developing nation. This precedent remains in order to enable those to freely criticize government without the fear of punishment.

4.) What is the lasting significance of his trial?

Zenger's case is the precedent for an essential cornerstone of our democracy, freedom of press. This is outlined in the First Amendment.

Peter Zenger

His Trial

A narrative of his trial.

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LAD/Blog #35: Home was a Horse Stall

Sox, a first generation Japanese American, shares striking stories of her life. One of the most notable is when her family is forced to liquidate all of their possessions at strikingly low prices to make as much money as possible. Additionally, it was equally memorable and deplorable that these Japanese Americans once had to live in horse stalls that were still lingering with traces of the horse due to executive order 9066. The patriot act denies also denies basic american rights under the guise of national security.

LAD/Blog #30: Woodrow Wilson's First Inaugural

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Neil's AP American Blog

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