Remember how we talked about how when Woodrow Wilson campaigned for the presidency, he ran on the platform that the United States would stay out of the affairs of Europe. In particular, the United States would not get involved with The Great War which would later become commonly known as World War I?
So, when Wilson did find it necessary in his second term to enter the war, there were large segments of the population that do not support the war effort. In some cases, the government felt many of these groups were taking steps to undermine the war effort. To help facilitate the winning of the war, Congress passed the Espionage Act of 1917 and extended by the Sedition Act on May 16, 1918.
Public criticism of the war was definitely a major concern of the government. Since a significant number of troops would be needed to carry out the war effort, a draft was imposed. Among the concerns the government had was the notion that constant criticism would make recruitment and even conscription difficult.
The purpose of these Acts was to prohibit interference with military operations, to ban support of U.S. enemies during wartime or to promote insubordination in the military.
The Espionage Act gave US postal officials the authority to prohibit the mailing of newspapers and magazines. The law also threatened individuals convicted of interfering with or refusing the draft with $10,000 fines and 20 years in jail.
The U.S. Congress amended the Espionage law with the Sedition Act of 1918. Its purpose was to make it illegal to write or speak anything critical of American involvement in the war.
The Sedition Act of 1918 made it a federal offense to use "disloyal or abusive language" about the Constitution, the government, the American uniform, or the US flag.
Watch this five minute video and then comment on the blog. Do you feel like these Acts were unconstitutional or do you feel like they were the right thing to do under the circumstances? Why do you feel this way?
I personally feel that the Sedition Act was unconstitutional because citizen and immigrants heritage. It seems unfair for people with German heritage to get deported, fined, or jailed. I understand that the stakes where high at the time with the war going on. People should be aware of the situation and not shielded from the country.
ReplyDeletePersonally, as Lauren said, the only law I had a larger issue would be the Sedition act. As we talked about it today in class I felt that was very unjust and completely wrong. The fact that we, Americans, were treating someone poorly for being something they have no choice over is ridiculous. They didn't choose to be a German, just as we didn't choose to be an American. We are NO higher. Same with the Chicago Race Riots. Those things just don't settle with me very well.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I want to say that racism is always wrong. There is never anything good about it, and it always ends with someone getting hurt, physically or emotionally. I think that the Americans over-did it with all of the German-hate. I get it that patience was low, emotions were running high, and we were seriously getting to the end of our rope with the Germans. But dropping German languages from our school actually hurt America. Is it not beneficial for our children, potential future soldiers, to learn the language of the enemy? I get sauerkraut being re-named, but the other things just over-did it. The lynching and racism towards the Germans is wrong and gives America a bad name. We are the land of the free, and a country of immigrants. Do we just turn on our comrades when we feel like it? Welcome them into our country, and then stab them in the back? Even if the German immigrants were loyal and sympathetic to their home country, they have a constitutional right to feel that way, and even share and promote their feelings.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Sedition Act, I think it was unconstitutional but righteous. I get where our government's coming from. We can't have our own country talking quietly behind their backs. In a time of war, unity is everything, and a house divided against itself cannot stand.
1 John 2:9- "Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness."
I think that the Espionage Act and the Sedition Act were unconstitutional because everyone should have a right to freedom of speech and press even in times of war. Fear drives people to do unjust acts. But it is not right to unfairly arrest people because they speak a different language or have different opinions.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Espionage Act and the Sedition Act were bad ideas. I think that, like Evan said, everyone has a right to express what they feel about the government. If we can;t share our opinions, nothing will ever improve and if we are forced to see pour mouths shut. People came here to be free and these laws are not freeing. It was terrible that people hated all German people and that it spread to all non English speaking citizens. Thats not fair. The Bible says that all men are created equal, no matter who you are. By shutting out all non-english speaking people, the English speaking people basically shunned all “natives”. I liked how Jacob used a bible verse to make his point so I’ll use one of my own(Sorry Jacob I stole your idea.) "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
ReplyDeleteI think the main reason I don’t think these Acts were a good idea is because people will always disagree. If you let them talk it out, they will probably get it figured out. But by taking away the freedom of speech, neither side of the argument can talk about their opinions without getting slammed and put in jail. Even though it is not so prominent now, I still feel like there isn’t a freedom of speech now. It’s not necessarily that we can’t talk about political things, it’s Christians. I don’t have all the information here, but I can say that it seems like when a Mormon or someone ion a religion other than Christianity says something that contradicts the government or contradicts something, the rest of the world just sort of goes “Yeah ok, you can have your opinion I’ll have mine let’s not fight about it.” But when a Christian says something, the world freaks out and is like “OH MY GOSH YOU HATER!” Like this thing with the Starbucks cup right now. I know Starbucks isn’t a “christian” company, but still, people are getting really mad at them for having a red cup, and somehow that’s like racist or something. I don’t know. Like I said, I don’t have all the facts, but I still think that you need to let people speak their minds. I think you should only stop that when it gets violent. (Sorry this comment went a little long and beyond what I was talking about :)) OK I’m done ranting now :)
All of that is true. The problem at that time was, America didn't want or care to hear about citizens working things out. Our government acted on impulse (as usual) and didn't take time to think of the consequences this could inflict. You'd think we would learn from our mistakes. What I find interesting is that Baronelle Stutzman, who owns the Arlene's Flowers shop in Richland, refused one homosexual couple flowers for their 'wedding,' and she was attacked by prosecutors and it turned into a big deal. 30 Ethiopian Christians were beheaded by ISIS, who made a video of it and posted it on the internet. What is our government doing about it? I feel like everyone is priority #1 and Christians are #2.
Delete"I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
John 16:33
(I'm liking this bible verse thing)
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DeleteI heard about that Arlene's Flowers thing! I think that's just sad. I've heard of several people getting slammed for refusing homosexual couples. Not refusing them, but refusing to support what they think. She's going through a lot of trouble right now and it's amazing. God will bless her so much. He probably already has! "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2 (Me too)
Deletei get how it wouldn't be good to have people talking talking bad about the war and stuff but that doesn't make it right to only target germans, and anyone who spoke a forgein language. what if they don't know english, what if the person your causing of doing something is completely innocent. i think its stupid that they renamed German measles and that cabbage stuff too because thats completely irrelevant and the cabbages are not "sabbatoging" the war,,??? personally i just feel that enforcing these acts were unfair and completely went against what America kinda stands for and they took away the rights of the people.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it was a good idea to remove the people's right to talk freely. We all like to saw what we feel and feel what we say but this is trapping the voice of the citizens so therefore trapping their feelings. To win an election with the slogan "He kept us out of war!",entering the war, then taking away rights is crazy. I understand how after the Zimmerman telegram that they would want to enter the war, but they were not listening to the people and just silenced them. Like everyone above me said, the racial discrimination is unfair and ungodly. To judge people on their color, ethnicity, and language is just not right in any way. We found America and declared it FREE, not racist and controlling. This nation has a reason its called the melting pot. Because there's so many people of all sizes, races, and languages. But deporting a majority of the innocent "ingredients" (lol) is just going against the name we earned. We should take in people in need and make this place their cozy home and keep them here. We can't be ignorant and say that this place is only for the whites and that we don't need them. Just like every white person there is good and bad. But I feel that people that are not white are judged more harsh with the bad. Btw rambling is fun. Hope I didn't bore yall xD
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ReplyDeleteI think that the Sedition Act was unconstitutional because everyone whether German or not should have the right of freedom and speech and press in the times of that difficult and long lasting war. I feel this way because if somebody speaks a different or foreign language and has different opinions doesn't mean you should be able to unfairly and unjustly arrest them.
ReplyDeleteI did not agree with the Sedition act because this country prides itself on being free but if something like this happens its like the second world war when Hitler picked on the Jews and in this case America picked on German immigrants or those who didn't agree wit war
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not good with words myself, but let me just say that I'm glad that socialist 'Debs' guy didn't get elected! :)
ReplyDeleteAnyways, to answer the question given to us...
If I was living during WWI at the time, I probably would have thought it was non-constitutional. But I understand the ''fear'' the government had of those who opposed it. I mean, what if those who opposed going to war started a war within towns and cities, shooting those who support it?
Yes, I agree it did violate the first amendment.
As for the German pre-discrimination that went on at the time, well, who would know if the German's would stay loyal to the country they immigrated to or would they make up their own little army in America and fight for Germany! But, I think there was a certain amount of unfairness going on at the time, and I think that the German immigrants who were still loyal to America probably had the worse inward and outward harm. (Because if a German immigrant was still loyal to Germany, they would more likely understand why the Americans were treating him/her that way!)
But I do partially agree that American Immigrants (or those who know foreign languages) should at least 80%+ speak English. This is because they are American's now (they legally became immigrants) and American people speak English. I am ok with, let's say, Mexicans speaking their languages perhaps at home to each other, and with private personal matters. But like if one is at a store, they should be speaking English and not be using their origin country's language, because they are no longer Mexicans, but Americans (Hispanic Americans). But I do not agree with the Sedation Act and Espionage act part that they arrest immigrants (or people) who speak a language other than English even if it's just over the telephone.
Another thing the acts violate is the right to assemble and group together, because the acts made it so the police arrest anti-war groups when they meet. But, on the contrary, these groups could have formed together and start riots in the streets.
In conclusion, I think that the sedation and espionage acts had violations of the Bill of Rights, but that they were partially good...
Let me just say I was quite shocked and sadden by what Gov. Harding said.....that God didn't hear prayers that were spoken in any language other than English! WHAT?!?! That is CRAZY! Who do you think CREATED the other languages? lol!
ReplyDeleteDo I feel like these Acts were unconstitutional or feel like they were the right thing to do under the circumstances? I'm not really sure. I agree with some things but not others. It is possible to go overboard even though others may say "You can never be too careful!" But who knows....if America didn't make the decisions it did, then the world may have been a very different place, then and now!
Sorry this is very late! But I think this law was absolutely ridiculous! It's racist and as Jacob said, that never turns out well. I understand why America would be a little bit bitter twards them, but I do not understand why they would stop teaching German in schools, or not let a German conductor conduct. Even if they are German, they are people with feelings. And their feelings don't deserve to be hurt just because they are German.
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