Nineteenth Century America

An examination of publishing in nineteenth century America pinpoints many of the problems faced by a country recently freed from colonial bonds and attempting to develop an indigenous culture. The problems faced are not only those of literacy rates, distribution of books and the nature of talented native authors. Cultural heritage, economic ties, political exigencies and legal traditions bind publishers in neo-colonial countries to the former mother country. A study of nineteenth century America illustrates the complexities and strength of the relation between developing and developed countries. An understanding of the difficulties faced by Americans trying to overcome intellectual dependence on British culture may help Third World countries cut to the heart of the problem more quickly than did the United States.