What was one major result of the development of the penny press in the 1830s?
Answer (1)
The penny press was a revolutionary development in the newspaper industry in the 1830s. One major result of the creation and widespread use of the penny press was the democratization of news.
Before the penny press, newspapers were relatively expensive, often costing six cents or more. This made them accessible mainly to wealthier individuals who could afford the price. Most newspapers catered to the interests of the upper class, focusing on topics like politics and business, which were of less interest to the general public.
The penny press changed all that by selling newspapers for just one cent. This significant price drop made newspapers accessible to a much broader audience, including the working class and immigrants. Publishers of the penny press focused on stories that appealed to the common person, such as crime reports, human interest stories, and sensational news. This shift in content helped newspapers reach a mass audience and influenced public opinion by allowing more people to stay informed about current events.
By catering to a wider audience, the penny press also increased literacy as more individuals were motivated to read. Moreover, it led to the rise of advertising as a revenue source for newspapers, allowing them to remain inexpensive while covering costs. This laid the foundation for the modern newspaper industry and set the stage for the mass media we know today.
