Question

Why did the US Congress pass the Espionage Act in 1917?

Answer 1

The U.S. Congress passed the Espionage Act in 1917 to prohibit US citizens from disclosing any information related to the war.

The Espionage Act (June 15, 1917) was a federal law enacted during World War I that suppressed free expression aiming to prohibit US citizens from disclosing any information related to the war.

The law penalized disloyalty, giving false reports, or anyone who interfered with the war effort or military operations by obtaining and delivering information relating to "national defense" and anyone promoting the success of the country's enemies, it prohibited the mailing of newspapers and magazines as well. The Act also authorized federal officials to punish whoever that violated the law.

Answer 2

US Congress passed the Espionage Act in 1917 in the purpose to forbid US citizens to give information relating to the war. This happened during World War I.

 

EXPLANATION

The US Congress passed the Espionage Act in 1917 two months after America joined World War I against Germany.  

 

This Espionage Act was passed to make it a crime for everyone who discloses information about the war. If there is anyone found guilty for disclosing information about the war, then they have to pay a fine of $10,000 and a prison sentence of 20 years.

 

The Espionage Act forbid people to obtain information, copying descriptions, recording pictures, or anything else related to the national defense. If this information spread, this might injure the United States and the US would be taken advantage by any foreign nation. The penalty for the crime was given to anyone who obstructed enlistment in the armed forces and caused disloyalty and insubordination in the military forces

 

The Espionage Act was followed by the Sedition Act the next year around. The Sedition Act proposed similar harsh penalties for anyone who makes fake statements and interfered with the war. The US government was afraid that the disclosing of information would cause abuse for the government, the constitution, war materials, etc.

LEARN MORE

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, we recommend you to also take a look at the following questions:

• What is espionage act: brainly.com/question/4998803

• Espionage and sedition act: brainly.com/question/11866811

Keyword: Espionage Act in 1917, World War I, US Congress

Subject: History

Class: 10-12

Subchapter: World War I