The Government
Limits Civil Liberties
WW1 and the Air of Suspicion
Why the Paranoia?
O War is not usually popular. In order to
ensure support, the government wants to
make sure the people are backing up the
war effort.
O “Positive” Way – convincing through
propaganda
O “Negative” Way – punishing dissention
Espionage Act - 1917
O Made giving any kind of aid to the enemy illegal
O Included any type of disloyalty, giving false
reports, or interfering with war effort
O Punishment = up to $10,000 fine and 20 yrs in
prison
O Examples: Eugene Debs made speeches
opposing the draft – sentenced to 10 years in
prison
O Edward Snowden today…NSA leaks
Schenk v. U.S.
O Charles Schenk, a socialist, gave flyers to newly
drafted soldiers. He called being drafted involuntary
servitude. He was found guilty of violating the
Espionage Act.
O Court Case:
O Challenged U.S. Government and violations of free
speech
O Supreme court said that if your words present “A
clear and present danger” to the public, they were
not protected (“Fire!” example)
O Supreme Court Limits Free Speech
Sedition Act - 1918
O Made it illegal to :
O "willfully utter, print, write, or
publish any disloyal, profane,
scurrilous, or abusive language
about the form of the
Government of the United
States" or to "willfully urge,
incite, or advocate any
curtailment of the production"
of the things "necessary or
essential to the prosecution of
the war."
O 877 people convicted
Abrams v. U.S.
O Jacob Abrams – young anarchist – part of a
group that protested the U.S. sending troops into
Russia
O Sentenced to 15-20 yrs in prison
O Court Case:
O Law upheld, but eventually, one of the justices
changes stance on things and speaks out against
government enforcement of laws that go against
free speech. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.)