Final answer:
In the American colonies, freedom to print was not established initially but developed over time, especially during the movement towards independence. It was influenced by various factors including economic changes, self-governance practices, and the struggle for constitutional liberties upheld by the actions of its citizens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The freedom to print did not exist from the very beginning in the American colonies. Initially, British control and the Stamp Act, which forced a tax on printed materials, hindered such freedoms. Over time, printed materials like newspapers, journals, books, and pamphlets became widely available due in part to the consumer revolution. Furthermore, the colonies practiced self-government and valued freedoms enshrined in documents like the 1689 Bill of Rights and the Act of Religious Toleration. However, the right to print freely was a hard-fought liberty that developed alongside the colonies' movement towards independence, underscored by the importance of printed materials in fostering shared ideas and bolstering the Revolutionary cause. Eternal vigilance by ordinary citizens, lawyers, and politicians has been vital in protecting constitutional liberties, including the freedom of the press, which was later enshrined in the Bill of Rights.