Question

What was the espionage Act of 1917? why was Charles Schenck found guilty of violating the espionage Act by the Supreme court?Explain
help please!!!

Answer 1

The Espionage Act of 1917 was created to forbid intrusion of military operations and military recruitment.  It was also intended to stop insubordination in the military, and to check the assistance of enemies of the United States during times of war. In 1919, the U.S. Supreme Court solidly declared through Schenck vs. United States that the act did not disregard the freedom of speech of those sentenced under its provisions. The case of Charles Schenck who was the general secretary of the Executive Committee of the Socialist Party who distributed leaflets exhorting men not to obey the draft because they considered involuntary servitude.  Schenck and a fellow named were convicted because the court defended the decision because the situation during times of war require stricter measures compared to times of peace of the presence of dangerous forces.