Before being able to officially enter the first World War, it was necessary for the United States government to rally a lukewarm citizenry into a pro-war spirit. Once achieved, it was mandatory to maintain enthusiasm for the war until peace was reached. The government decided that in order to do this, it was acceptable to violate some civil liberties. A majority of Americans possessed anti-German sentiment from the beginning of the war. They were against the ruler of Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II, the German invasion of neutral Belgium, and the country’s practice of submarine warfare. When the United States joined the war in 1917 on the side of the Allies, Germany became the main antagonist in World War I. Anti-German sentiment further developed
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Not only were they used against people who were expressing their opinon about the war, but these pieces of legislation also went against the part of the amendment that gave freedom of press. It was used primarily to silence war opponents.
Radical labor unions were another group that was particularly suppressed during this time. The labor movement and those who were a part of it were considered a major threat to the government because they were both successful and anti-war. A large percentage of the leaders of the labor movement were socialists who believed that the war was being fought for capitalism. Socialist leader Eugene V. Debs was prosecuted because reasons.
One of the major labor unions that was targeted during this time period was the Industrial Workes of the World or the IWW. This labor union was a major opponent of the American Federation of Labor partly because of its inclusive membership; the IWW openly welcomed migrant workers, blacks, and immigrants. This helped the IWW become the most prominent voice of immigrant workers. The government viewed the IWW as an organization whose purpose was to overthrow their capitalist government. In 1917, 165 leaders of the organization were arrested for reasons varying from treason to use of intimidation in labor
Not only were they used against people who were expressing their opinon about the war, but these pieces of legislation also went against the part of the amendment that gave freedom of press. It was used primarily to silence war opponents.
Radical labor unions were another group that was particularly suppressed during this time. The labor movement and those who were a part of it were considered a major threat to the government because they were both successful and anti-war. A large percentage of the leaders of the labor movement were socialists who believed that the war was being fought for capitalism. Socialist leader Eugene V. Debs was prosecuted because reasons.
One of the major labor unions that was targeted during this time period was the Industrial Workes of the World or the IWW. This labor union was a major opponent of the American Federation of Labor partly because of its inclusive membership; the IWW openly welcomed migrant workers, blacks, and immigrants. This helped the IWW become the most prominent voice of immigrant workers. The government viewed the IWW as an organization whose purpose was to overthrow their capitalist government. In 1917, 165 leaders of the organization were arrested for reasons varying from treason to use of intimidation in labor