Final answer:
During the Revolutionary War, print media, particularly newspapers and pamphlets, were critical in informing American colonists about continental events and fostering a revolutionary spirit against British rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The invention that greatly assisted American colonists in becoming aware of events in other colonies during the Revolutionary War period was the print media, including newspapers and pamphlets. The proliferation of these printed materials was a direct result of the consumer revolution which provided easier access to journals, books, and other publications. This was further supported by the establishment of the Committees of Correspondence, which spread information and coordinated colonial actions against British governance.
Print media became a vital tool in informing colonists about incidents such as the Gaspee Affair and British policies, thereby fostering a sense of unity and resistance. Newspapers, specifically, played a crucial role in communicating the colonial perspective and grievances, raising awareness, and inciting revolutionary sentiment among the populace. Notably, newspapers contributed to the spread of Enlightenment ideas, which encouraged skepticism towards institutional authority and stressed the importance of personal rights, directly influencing the attitudes that led to the American Revolution.