On April 2, 1917, the 28th president of the United States of America, Woodrow Wilson, delivered a speech before the Congress in order to declare war against Germany. This period of history represents the first worldwide conflict and opposes the Allied forces of the United States, Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and Japan against the Central Powers of Germany, Bulgaria, the Austrian-Hungarian empire, and the Ottoman empire. Woodrow Wilson involved the United States, which was originally neutral at the beginning of World War I when the Germans attacked and sank the Lusitania, a ship transporting ammunition to the allies but also American citizens. More importantly, in his speech, Woodrow Wilson explicitly states his opinion and purpose that ' 'the world must be made safe for democracy ' ' (Voices of Freedom 107) and that the immediate contribution of his nation to World War I would bring "peace and justice" (Voices of Freedom 105) to the world, as well as the end of the threatening expansion of …show more content…
128. Eugene V. Debs, Speech to the Jury (1918) This document is a speech delivered during the historical context of World War I, by the American citizen, activist, and leader of the Socialist Party, Eugene Victor Debs, to a jury in a court of law in 1918. Eugene V. Debs was arrested and convicted for proclaiming on June 16, 1918, his strong war opposition in the course of his anti-war speech at Canton, Ohio. This event aligns with the creation of The Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act made in 1918. The purpose of these laws was to forbid "spying and interfering with the draft but also "false statements" that might impede military success", as well as any ' 'statements intended to cast "contempt, scorn or disrepute" on the "form of government" or that advocated interference with the war effort" (Voices of Freedom 119). As a result, American citizens expressing their disapproval in any form regarding the war would be arrested and punished by these
During World War I, Charles Schenck sent a copious amount of circulars over to the draftees. The circulars consisted of anti-draft sentiments and claimed that the draft was despicably supported by the capitalist system. Schenk basically told the readers to join him in protest. Schenk was unsurprisingly charged with conspiracy for his action due to violating the Espionage Act of 1917 by causing disruption in the military and attempting to prevent military recruitment. The main issue emerging from this case was whether or not Schenck’s circulars were protected by the First Amendment’s via freedom of speech.
The Sedition Act allowed the US government to give consequences to anyone who goes against the government. Congress did not want any foreigners or citizens to be able to say anything negative
Wilson viewed America as a nation of peace and he wanted to preserve this view. However, as time went on, the little things the U.S did while claiming its neutrality started to matter. Germans retaliated to the U.S trade with the Allies. One thing led to another and the U.S joined the war under the Allies’
Germany’s broken policies and the decoded Zimmerman note were the major causes of Woodrow Wilson’s declaration of war. When the beginning of World War I came around, it was a very difficult time for everyone. President Wilson pledged a state of neutrality on behalf of the United States and had a vast majority of Americans backing him up in the meantime. However, it wasn’t long until tension started to rise up in America
The Alien and Sedition Acts were originally put in place by Federalists to limit the voice and power that Republicans had. The Sedition Act made it so Americans couldn’t make any kind of statement that would suggest disloyalty to the government. The Alien Acts made it possible for Americans to be deported, under specific regulations. The Espionage Act made it a crime to display any information, false or not, that would possibly interfere with military success. These laws were taken very seriously, for example, Eugene V. Debs was convicted for an antiwar speech.
The Chicago 8 Trial was “as one commentator suggested, “a monumental non-event”” (The Chicago 8 Trial, An Account). The Chicago 8 trial was a disastrous trial with eight men who were carless and disrespectful, a judge that was biased, as well as the First Amendment rights being overlooked. Many would say this federal act was triggered by one of the most disastrous wars in the United States history, the Vietnam War. It wasn’t just that though, there was
Statement to the Court Upon Being Convicted of Violating the Sedition Act Analysis The Sedition Act was passed in 1918 by the US to criminalize criticisms of World War I from citizens within the US. Many people were outraged by this act, believing it to be a violation of democracy's basic principles of freedom; speech and personal liberties. Many argued it was unconstitutional because it violated the First Amendment's protection for free speech. The act was enforced by the government, and thousands were arrested, even those who spoke against the war.
However, this was not the only smaller law that was under the act that brought a wave of controversy among the public. For instance, the law saw critical perspectives as if they were seditious or treasonable (Cottrel, 2003). This further frustrated the public because they were now not entitled to their own opinions without being called traitors to the country that they live in. Moreover, the public was now being censored of their own ideals which were regarding the war that not only had a direct impact on them, but also impacted the country as a whole on several levels. These levels ranged from very minimal to the level that became a threat to national security.
This unknown fact of American being neutral or not, ultimately lead to the United States needing to enter World War I. Although the United States President at the time, Woodrow Wilson, explained the reasoning for the U.S. entering WWI was because of Germany’s submarine warfare, the violence toll that Germany took on America relates back to the concealed matter of the nation of the United States actually being neutral throughout the time before war
George Washington encouraged the United States to take a neutral approach, to avoid wars with nations in the future. Woodrow Wilson wanted to continue the policy of neutrality. He eventually asked Congress to declare war on Germany. The Government failed to sign the Treaty of Versailles and join the League of Nations. Many thought that joining the League of Nations would lead to war.
In order for them to support the war, the government used propaganda to evoke feelings of nationalism. While the United States joined the war as an opportunity to get revenge on Japan, propaganda was often censored to guarantee that Americans only saw the damage Japanese soldiers had done to Americans. To insure that Americans would not be put off and maintain the desire for war, images of dead Americans were prevented from being published to the public. (“Supporting Evidence”). Government officials knew that citizens were unable to withstand the gruesome photos taken of the realities of the war.
Woodrow Wilson was our great nation’s 28th President and he delivered an eye opening speech to congress on April 2, 1917. Woodrow Wilson’s Declaration of War speech was a plea to congress to recognize the already present war between Germany and the United States. Congress was seemingly ignoring the war until then. The speech was directed to all Americans and congress before him.
Despite this blatant disregard for rights President Wilson decided to push even further and create the Espionage Act. This law (if broken) would result in a $10,000 fine and 10 years imprisonment. Despite this debilitating act it gave way to the ciliv liberties case, US v. Charles Schenck. In this case Schenck was convicted for printing pamphlets that encouraged Americans to resist the draft. Unfortunately for him, the Supreme Court upheld this decision.
Wilson also passed the Espionage Act (1917) and the Sedition Act (1918) to criminalise criticism of the actions US government and armed forces during the war by censoring all forms of media, including speeches and written forms of media.
President Woodrow Wilson established America’s goal for joining World War I as “making the world safe for democracy.” At the conclusion of the War, President Wilson declared fourteen principles for peace to be used during the Paris Peace Conference, called the Fourteen Points. The most important of these points was the final point: a general association of nations with the guarantees of political and territorial independence and security. As the Peace Conference progressed, more nations ratified the Treaty of Versailles and joined the League of Nations, the embodiment of President Wilson’s fourteenth point. However, Senate the United States, from President Wilson’s own country, did not ratify the treaty.