Which of the following developments was directly responsible for the high literacy rates found in colonial American during the 18th century?
A: an increase in private schools in the colonies
B: an increase in religious piety in the colonies
C: an increase in printing presses in the colonies
D: an increase in ladies' colleges in the colonies
A: an increase in private schools in the colonies
B: an increase in religious piety in the colonies
C: an increase in printing presses in the colonies
D: an increase in ladies' colleges in the colonies
1 Answer
B
Explanation:
The Great Awakening created a desire for people to be able to read.
One of the main tenets of the Great Awakening was that every person was able to read and interpret the bible for themselves. There was no significant difference between the clergy and the layperson where it came to the authority to decide what the Bible meant.
To exercise this new found freedom and authority a person had to be able to read the Bible. The better a person could read the more authority and freedom the person had. The increase in religious fervor and "piety" created an increase in literacy.
The increase in desire for more freedom and authority of the common people was instrumental in the desire for democracy and the rebellion against arbitrary authority that lead to the American revolution. As John Wycliff wrote about his translation of the Bible into English may the knowledge of the Bible lead to a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
