A historian claims that 18th-century coffeehouses in London functioned as informal centers of political discussion and news exchange, shaping public opinion in ways that earlier social spaces had not.
Which evidence, if true, would the historian most likely cite to support this claim?
- A
Some coffeehouses had specific clienteles such as scientists or merchants.
- B
Coffee was first imported to Britain in the 17th century.
- C
Coffeehouses charged a small entry fee.
- Dcheck_circle
Surviving newspapers, pamphlets, and personal diaries from the period repeatedly describe coffeehouses as venues where merchants, writers, and politicians debated and shared news on a daily basis.
Explanation
A provides primary-source evidence of the political-discussion function the historian describes. B, C, and D are tangential.