The Espionage and Sedition Acts ─ World War I and the Image of Civil Liberties

The Espionage and Sedition Acts of 1917-1918 mark one of the most controversial moments in American history. Even as President Woodrow Wilson justified US entry into World War I on the grounds that it would 'make the world safe for democracy,' civil liberties at home were curtailed by these laws, which suppressed anti-war sentiment by making it illegal to speak out against the U.S. participation in the conflict. Supporters of the Acts argued that these measures were necessary to protect national security and keep in check the perceived threat of radical activities, while oppenents considered them an unjustifiable breach of the Bill of Rights. The conflict between government powers and civil liberties crystallized by the Acts continues to resonate today.

The Espionage and Sedition Acts introduces students to the Acts, the cultural and political context in which they were passed, and their historical impact. In a concise narrative supplemented by primary sources including court cases, newspaper articles, and personal papers, Mitchell Newton-Matza gives students of history and politics a nuanced understanding of this key event.