Circulating books, presses and typography Protestantism and ideology in western Mexico, the case of Aguascalientes and Zacatecas (1823-1873)

Abstract

When the Mexican government opened its borders and established new trading routes following the declaration of independence, along with the aspiration of liberals to be part of the 19th century modernity, there was also the arrival of biblical agents to the territory. These agents, known as colporteurs, introduced innovative methods for distributing printed matter, established new trade routes, and integrated themselves to the liberal networks across the country. In Aguascalientes and Zacatecas, these biblical agents were linked to radical liberals and Enlightened artisans by selling religious engravings, printing presses and type during the period from the introduction of the local print shops (1823) until the arrival of the Protestant missionaries to Mexico (1873). Throughout the article, one can observe the importance of ideology and religion in the circulation of printed materials, tools and materials in a printing workshop, fostering regional articulations through written culture.