Although our last reading claimed that the revolutionary war was instrumental in unifying the colonies; I believe that the emergence of print culture played an even bigger role than the war. In today’s culture the written word has done so much to bring people of all backgrounds together. In my opinion the best example, but also one of the most extreme examples, is the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling’s words brought almost an entire generation together and inadvertently instilled in us a set of values. When people have access to the same books and magazines, it gives even the most diverse groups of people a common thread. All of a with the creation of the printing press English settlers had the same information as the German settlers. Eventually, the diverse group of settlers developed a similar set of values, which allowed them to unite as a nation as well as give that nation a unique identity that set them apart from Europe. This new nation would thrive on the availability of information. Unlike its European counterpart, America did not deprive its citizens of information. Without print culture, America would have never been able to succeed in creating a democratic society because in a democracy, it is essential that citizens have access to information concerning their country.
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