The wide availability of reading material in colonial America was the result of

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The wide availability of reading material in colonial America was primarily due to the spread of printing technology. Printing presses became increasingly common in the colonies, which allowed for the production of more books, pamphlets, and newspapers. This led to a proliferation of reading material that was relatively cheap and widely available. While male literacy rates were generally high in the colonies, this alone would not have been sufficient to produce such a vast and diverse range of reading materials. Additionally, there were no colonial laws protecting freedom of speech in the printed word, and the Stamp Act of 1765 actually served to restrict the production of printed materials by imposing taxes on them. While high rates of male college attendance may have contributed to the development of a learned and literate culture in the colonies, this too would not have been sufficient to account for the availability of reading material that existed.

The Wide Availability of Reading Material in Colonial America Was