Process Paper
I first heard of the Zenger Trial in eighth grade. Although I immediately found it interesting, it soon moved to the back of my mind because I was learning so many interesting history facts. The trial was mentioned again this year in AP United States History. Once again, it piqued my interest. I think that the case interested me because I love writing. I can’t imagine a world where people could not write how they felt. When I heard that this year's theme was Rights and Responsibilities, I thought this would fit perfectly. It would also be a great opportunity to learn more about a case that was still a partial mystery to me.
I first started my research by asking myself several questions. Through my research, my goal was to be able to answer all of these questions at the end of this experience. Some of the questions included: “Who was Zenger?” “What did Zenger do?” “Why is this case important?” I used several different websites, all of which were very helpful. One particularly useful website was law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/zenger/zenger.html. This website provided a lot of great information about the trial, as well as the important people involved in the trial. I also used The Case and Trial of John Peter Zenger as a primary source. By reading it, I was able to learn more about the trial and what Alexander Hamilton said during the trial. When I began my research, I knew very little about the trial. As I continued my research, I kept learning more and more about my topic. I chose to make a website because it allowed me to express my creativity.
The trial of John Peter Zenger relates directly to the theme of Rights and Responsibilities. The Bill of Rights did not exist yet, so Americans did not have freedom of the press. Zenger believed that it was his responsibility to print articles about New York's corrupt government. Although Zenger was arrested, he was acquitted. Because of this case, printers were developing the right to print articles about faulty aspects of the government. This case was also a precedent to freedom of the press in America.
I first started my research by asking myself several questions. Through my research, my goal was to be able to answer all of these questions at the end of this experience. Some of the questions included: “Who was Zenger?” “What did Zenger do?” “Why is this case important?” I used several different websites, all of which were very helpful. One particularly useful website was law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/zenger/zenger.html. This website provided a lot of great information about the trial, as well as the important people involved in the trial. I also used The Case and Trial of John Peter Zenger as a primary source. By reading it, I was able to learn more about the trial and what Alexander Hamilton said during the trial. When I began my research, I knew very little about the trial. As I continued my research, I kept learning more and more about my topic. I chose to make a website because it allowed me to express my creativity.
The trial of John Peter Zenger relates directly to the theme of Rights and Responsibilities. The Bill of Rights did not exist yet, so Americans did not have freedom of the press. Zenger believed that it was his responsibility to print articles about New York's corrupt government. Although Zenger was arrested, he was acquitted. Because of this case, printers were developing the right to print articles about faulty aspects of the government. This case was also a precedent to freedom of the press in America.