Espionage Act

Questions for Further Study

• 1. What motivated President Wilson to call for legislation that led to the Espionage and Sedition Acts?
• 2. On what basis did the US Supreme Court uphold the constitutionality of convictions in lower courts of those found guilty of violating the acts?
• 3. What was the connection between antiwar sentiment and the passage of the acts?
• 4. What sorts of abuses could have and likely did take place as a result of the enactment of the Espionage and Sedition Acts?