In times of War: National Security vs. Civil Liberties Art Lewandowski Fostoria High School
National Security vs. Civil Liberties Is it Patriotic to argue against your country going to war?
Attacks on Civil Liberties Increase #12 Main targets were Americans who had immigrated from Germany or Austria- Hungary – Stopped playing German music – Stopped teaching German language in school – Hamburgers became Salisbury Steak – Sauerkraut was now called “Liberty Cabbage” – Changed all German street names – Racism in media and hate crimes on the street
Attacks on Civil liberties limit: 1 st Amend: Freedoms of speech, press and assembly 4 th Amend: Due process of law (protects against illegal searches and seizures)
Espionage and Sedition Acts Passed to be sure that war effort was not undermined Espionage Act 1917: – Made it a crime to help enemies – Allowed censorship of mail and prosecution of socialists, radicals and pacifists Sedition Act 1918: – Made it a crime to say anything disloyal, dissapproving, or abusive about the government or war effort. – A person could be fined up to $10,000 and sentenced to 20 years in jail for “interfering” with the war effort
Civil Rights Violence for some was/is against religion Sel. Service Act (draft) forced many into military Gov’t assigned them noncombatant roles in the military
Why we limit Civil Liberties.. Use an example to answer in OGT notebook: When fighting a war, what is more important? – National Security? Why? – Civil Rights? Why?