Transcript Was his speech immoral? Were the Espionage and Sedition Acts

Video #1
Video #2
The Espionage Act of 1917 made it a
crime to… Cause or attempt to cause
insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny,
refusal of duty, in the military or naval
forces of the United States, or to
willfully obstruct the recruiting or
enlistment service of the United
States.
The Sedition Act of 1918 – actually a set of
amendments to the Espionage Act –
prohibited many forms of speech,
including "any disloyal, profane,
scurrilous, or abusive language about the
form of government of the United
States...or the flag of the United States, or
the uniform of the Army or Navy“
Punishment: a maximum fine of $10,000
or by imprisonment for not more than 20
years or both.
Video 3: As we watch this video, read
along the bold parts of Eugene Debs
speech. Underline or highlight parts of
the speech which may be illegal under
the Espionage and Sedition Acts.
Discuss.
Now read the rest of Debs speech (go back to
the beginning). As you read, underline or
highlight portions that may have been illegal
under the Espionage and Sedition Acts.
Discuss.
Was his speech illegal?
Was his speech immoral?
Were the Espionage and Sedition Acts
constitutional?
Should we limit free speech during war?
Compare/Contrast World War I and Vietnam.
Write 1 paragraph evaluating the
Supreme Court’s decision in the
Eugene Debs case? Should he have
been imprisoned for making the
speech? Explain.