Final answer:
The first U.S. copyright laws were focused on encouraging domestic publishing to foster the American literary tradition and publishing industry, which developed significantly after technological and infrastructural advancements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The emphasis placed in the drafting of America’s first copyright laws was on encouraging domestic publishing. Early American copyright laws were crafted to help build a local publishing industry that could exist somewhat independently from the British market. Before modern copyright, authors would have little control over their work once it was printed, often without consent. The premise was that by protecting authors’ works, it would incentivize the creation and distribution of American literature, thus fostering a burgeoning American literary tradition. This underscored the utilitarian focus of promoting a home-grown cultural and economic enterprise within the publishing sector.
As literary historians observed, the development of the American literary tradition and publishing industry was significantly intertwined. The success of British literary imports into the American market, despite their pirated nature, stimulated a demand for new works and presented an opportunity for American authors to gain an audience. It was only after various technological and infrastructural advancements, such as the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad and the adoption of steam-powered machinery, that the American literary publishing industry could truly flourish, aiding in the expansion of the culture of print and American literature.