During World War I was a time when most Americans felt the need to appear “American”. Whether this was through supporting their country patriotically, or giving up pieces of their heritage not strictly “American,” national propaganda and persuasion toward undeniable patriotism was at an all-time high. However, in cases such as Eugene V. Debs, this sense of coercive patriotism took a great toll on his interpretation and actual physical freedom. With citizens no longer able to fully practice the constitutional amendment of the right to free speech, or even to make uninfluenced decisions with their money, many Americans’ freedoms were slipping away before their very eyes. Through obvious propaganda created by the Committee on Public Information
