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Liberty Leading the People, 1830 |
Influence
The rise of newspapers redefined the relationship between people and their government as they not only reported news but also spread ideas, increased public awareness, and influenced political proceedings.
The chief purpose of newspaper reporting is to inform the public. Prior to the newspaper’s rise, people learned of world events by word of mouth, usually disseminating from and supporting the agenda of the government. The newspaper however, directly provided people with details concerning governmental and world affairs, thus freeing them from a reliance on the government to learn of world affairs. Indeed, this independent, seemingly unbiased source of news completely circumvented the government, subjugating their control on the spread of information. Newspapers also helped to spread ideas further and faster. People no longer had to live in cities to learn about “alternative visions for the 19th century.”[1] With the newspaper’s help, they could read about utopian socialism or Marxism whilst in the countryside, allowing the propagation of revolutionary ideals outside of urban centers as well.
Portrait of Charles X, 1829 |
Thus, newspapers directly informed the public, spread ideas, influenced government proceedings, and mediated the relationship between a government and its people.
In what ways was the press used to aid or oppose conflicts?
As mentioned above, newspapers framed the public debate and as their influence grew, they swayed public opinion in support or opposition of government endeavors through the combined use of word and image.
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"Justice" By John Tenniel |
In contrast, other newspapers helped to create a sense of national identity in support of government policies. For example, John Tenniel’s cartoon, entitled “Justice,” for Punch Magazine helped to boost morale and create a national identity throughout England. The cartoon depicts Britannia, carrying the scales of Justice on her shield, crushing the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857. Obviously, this picture is not a realistic depiction of events. Rather, Tenniel seems to be using imperial images to boost national moral and patriotism.
Newspapers used images and words to both inform and shape public opinion as they changed the dynamic in the relationship between the government and the people.
Image Sources:
Portrait of Charles X:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_X_of_France_1.PNG
“Justice” by John Tenniel: http://www.history.org.uk/library/0812/0000/0069/punch_justice_295.jpg
Liberty Leading the People, Eugene Delacroix:
http://projects.ecfs.org/bome/cities/hband2004/paris/group/jperlman-garr/LibertyLeadingthePeople.html
[1] Worlds, Page 599
[2] “Charles X advised to check the licentiousness of the press,” Page 100 of course pack
[3] “Charles X’s Ordinance against the press,” Page 101 of course pack
[4] “The 1830 Revolution in France,” Page 61. Pamela M. Pilbeam. Editor: Macmillan, 1991
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