Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

What resulted from the Zenger Trial in relation to colonial governance?

1. Criticism of the British monarchy was deemed treasonous

2. Colonial newspapers began publishing more freely

3. It led to the establishment of liars for legal defense

4. Royal governors were given more power

The correct answer is: Colonial newspapers began publishing more freely

The Zenger Trial, which took place in 1735, is a landmark case in the history of American journalism and freedom of the press. During this trial, John Peter Zenger, a printer and journalist, was accused of libel for publishing criticisms of the colonial governor of New York. The trial's outcome was significant in that it established a precedent for greater freedom of the press in colonial America. The correct outcome from the Zenger Trial is that colonial newspapers began publishing more freely. The jury's verdict, which sided with Zenger, implied that truth could be a defense against charges of libel. This decision encouraged other newspapers to critique government officials and policies without the fear of legal repercussions, fostering a more vibrant and less censored public discourse. The trial demonstrated that while the government sought to control public opinion, the principle of a free press was gaining traction among colonists, setting an essential foundation for the later constitutional protections of freedom of speech and the press. This shift in the legal landscape marked an important turn toward self-expression and criticism of authority in colonial governance.