Which of the following primary sources would best help someone examine how the printing press and printed books influenced Europe? (1 point)
1. a diagram of the printing press that Johannes Gutenberg created by hand
2. a sixteenth-century document calling for the censorship of newly printed books
3. a twentieth-century map showing the printing presses in Renaissance Europe
4. a copy of one of the most well-known illuminated manuscripts used for prayer
a sixteenth-century document calling for the censorship of newly printed books
To examine how the printing press and printed books influenced Europe, the best primary source would be option 1: a diagram of the printing press that Johannes Gutenberg created by hand.
Explanation:
1. A diagram of the printing press created by Johannes Gutenberg would provide direct insight into the mechanics and components of the invention that revolutionized the production of books. This primary source would help someone understand how the printing press worked and its impact on Europe.
2. A sixteenth-century document that calls for the censorship of newly printed books would indirectly provide information on how printed books were influencing Europe. However, this source primarily focuses on censorship rather than the impact of the printing press itself.
3. A twentieth-century map showing the locations of printing presses in Renaissance Europe may give an overview of the spread of printing technology; however, it does not provide specific information about the influence of the printing press or printed books.
4. A copy of a well-known illuminated manuscript used for prayer would not directly address how the printing press and printed books influenced Europe. This source would focus on a pre-existing form of book production rather than the impact of the printing press on Europe.
Therefore, option 1, a diagram of the printing press created by Johannes Gutenberg, would best help someone examine how the printing press and printed books influenced Europe.