LAD #2: John Peter Zenger Trial

John Peter Zenger Trial

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

Zenger was a German Journalist in New York City in the early 1700's. After printing critical comments about the Colonial Governor William Cosby, he was arrested for libel.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.

Zenger was charged with libel, or publishing a false statement that harms a person's reputation, but his lawyers - Hamilton and Smith, argued that a statement could not be considered libelous if it was true, but still harmful to a person's reputation. Within ten minutes of discussion, the Jury proclaimed Zenger not guilty and thus set a precedent for freedom of the press in America.

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

Zenger's case placed freedom of the press amongst other sacred American freedoms that our governmental tradition advocates for the protection of.

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

The precedent of a free press set forth by Zenger's trial would remain a cornerstone of American governmental tradition, and eventually it would be written into law as one of the first Amendments to the US Constitution.

The Zenger trial in the 1700's reminded me of a 2012 movement by many Americans against the SOPA and PIPA bills that were seen as being infringements on online freedom of speech, as both instances saw the people opposing their government to maintain their essential freedoms.