From 1914 to 1939, America was rapidly changing with events like engaging in the first world war, prohibition, and the great depression to name a few. These events set the mold for a new modern America. Just under 50 years before the 20th century, America had made great strides in improving modern American freedom by implementing the 15th amendment and giving the right to vote to any man of any race. However, it seems that during the time period from 1914-1939 every step America took to expanding freedom they took two steps back.
One expansion of freedom from the 1920s that is taken for granted today is the 19th amendment. Just over fifty years before, the right to vote was extended for all men by the ratification of the 15th amendment. Women’s suffrage leaders like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott rallied together to gain full rights as American citizens. These women believed that the constitutional right to vote should be extended to all women, as well as all men. It is important to remember Alice Paul a women’s suffragist leader stated, “To give votes to women would be a revolution ... The giving of the ballot would be but the public recognition of the change which social forces have brought” (Butler 46). …show more content…
Under the Espionage Act of 1917, and the Sedition Act of 1918 the U.S government made laws restricting 1st amendment rights of freedom of speech and press. A good example of this is the U.S court case against Eugene V. Debs. Debs was convicted in 1918 under the Espionage Act for delivering an antiwar speech. In the last line of his speech, Debs stated, “I believe in the right of free speech, in war as well as in
One expansion of freedom from the 1920s that is taken for granted today is the 19th amendment. Just over fifty years before, the right to vote was extended for all men by the ratification of the 15th amendment. Women’s suffrage leaders like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott rallied together to gain full rights as American citizens. These women believed that the constitutional right to vote should be extended to all women, as well as all men. It is important to remember Alice Paul a women’s suffragist leader stated, “To give votes to women would be a revolution ... The giving of the ballot would be but the public recognition of the change which social forces have brought” (Butler 46). …show more content…
Under the Espionage Act of 1917, and the Sedition Act of 1918 the U.S government made laws restricting 1st amendment rights of freedom of speech and press. A good example of this is the U.S court case against Eugene V. Debs. Debs was convicted in 1918 under the Espionage Act for delivering an antiwar speech. In the last line of his speech, Debs stated, “I believe in the right of free speech, in war as well as in