jan 1, 1920 - Public Opinion and Civil Liberties: Espionage Act of 1917, Sedition Act of 1918; Schenck v. United States

Description:

Part of the mobilization process was a new tactic to convince Americans into taking part economically and socially of War One that would ensure Americans are patriotic at all times and are giving part and to the nationalism. The use of propaganda through posters pamphlets speakers wood convince civilians to giving up certain goods like meat and donating money in Liberty bonds all for the benefit of supporting their country. However, like when the war started there's controversies against certain groups of citizens. These Socialists were not quiet about their opinion and attempted to rebel. The government then created the Espionage Act and Sedition acts. The Espionage Act was against those who violated the draft and stated but the punishment was after 20 years in prison. The sedition act were those who verbally won against the decisions of the US government. A few 1000 people were convicted under these acts throughout the years of war even socialist leader Eugene V debs. However, under the US constitution people supported their arguments in court like the case of Schneck versus the United States, saying that freedom speech was a right and that he could not be punished for going against a government decision.

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