Question

Charles Schenck was convicted of espionage in 1919 because he?

Answer 1

The correct answer is B) Urged Americans to oppose the military draft during World War I.

This famous incident resulted in the Supreme Court case Schenk vs. US.

In this Supreme Court case, Schenk argued that his anti-war stance should be protected under the first amendment right of freedom of speech. However, the Supreme Court ruled against Schenk. The justices stated that Schenk's speech presented a "clear and present danger" to American society, hence why it was not protected by the first amendment right to free speech.