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Repression of Civil Liberties
The limits of Freedom of Speech.
Civil Liberties
- During World war 1 individuals right were taken away by the government.
- Freedom of speech was suppressed.
Eugene V. Debs
- Eugene was a American Union Leader, one of the founding members of the Industrial workers of the world.
- Became one the best known socialists in the united states.
- He started the Pullman strike.
- President Grover Cleveland used the army to break the strike.
- Convicted of federal charges for defying a court injunction against the strike.
- He served 6 months in prison
Espionage and Sedition Acts
Limitations of Freedom
The Espionage and Sedition Acts stated that Federal officials could arrest anyone who spoke out against the war. It also prohibited anyone making false accusations that could interfere with the success with the military. The post office could deny anyone who wrote a letter refusing to participate in the draft. This gave the post office control of circulation of the nation's subsidiary press.
Schenck v. United States
Charles Schenk was responsible for printing and distributing and mailing material to military draftees. He would say in the letters trying to encourage them to drop out, and to assert their rights. For this he was indicted and convicted of violating the Espionage Act of 1917.
Sacco and Vanzetti
- suspected anarchists
- convicted of murdering 2 men during a 1920 armed robbery in a shoe store.
- The two men were convicted
- Governor Micheal Dukakis said that they were unfairly tried and convicted.
Today in History for August 23rd