1. The Government Limits Civil Liberties
WW1 and the Air of Suspicion

2. Why the Paranoia?
War is not usually popular. In order to ensure support, the government wants to make sure the people are backing up the war effort.
“Positive” Way – convincing through propaganda
“Negative” Way – punishing dissention

3. Espionage Act - 1917 Made giving any kind of aid to the enemy illegal
Included any type of disloyalty, giving false reports, or interfering with war effort
Punishment = up to $10,000 fine and 20 yrs in prison
Examples: Eugene Debs made speeches opposing the draft – sentenced to 10 years in prison
Edward Snowden today…NSA leaks

5. Schenk v. U.S.
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.
Court Case:
Challenged U.S. Government and violations of free speech
Supreme court said that if your words present “A clear and present danger” to the public, they were not protected (“Fire!” example)
Supreme Court Limits Free Speech

6. Sedition Act - 1918 Made it illegal to :
"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."
877 people convicted

7. Abrams v. U.S.
Jacob Abrams – young anarchist – part of a group that protested the U.S. sending troops into Russia
Sentenced to yrs in prison
Court Case:
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.)