Which of the following developments was directly responsible for the high literacy rates found in colonial american during the 18th century? a. an increase in private schools in the colonies b. an increase in religious piety in the colonies c. an increase in printing presses in the colonies d. an increase in ladies' colleges in the colonies

C. an increase in printing presses in the colonies

Explanation:

With the increase in the number of printing presses during the eighteenth century in colonial America, the production of books and other types of printed material grew significantly. This increase in American literary production allowed people to have more access to reading and to make it easier to learn to read and study for relevant subjects. Churches generally influenced children to learn to read Bible texts from an early age, this influence increased greatly as more printing presses allowed more Bible texts to be printed.

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