Ww1 Domestic Policy Essay

World War I was deemed the war to end all wars – at least which was originally thought. The war left the world in a heap of mess, disorder, and chaos. WWI was also the first modern war, which included a plethora of new technologies, ideas, and machinery. Yet, these modern developments came along with some nasty baggage. WWI left a momentous legacy, notably within the area of domestic policy. Domestic policies made by the government during this time period were extremely focused within the total war efforts, but within Hampton Roads, the Sedition Act and nativist sentiment left a very memorable footprint. The Sedition Act dramatically changed the role of civil liberties within the U.S. America’s involvement in World War I directly had an impact on domestic

Laws passed by the government (notably the Sedition Act) made it illegal for all citizens to express or say anything that could harm or thwart America’s total war effort. Eugene Debs, a notable member of the Socialist Party was sent to prison for ten years for urging people to resist the war draft in his speeches. Espionage Act of 1917 prohibited attempts at interfering with the military in any way or supporting U.S. enemies during the war. The Sedition Act of 1918 stated that expressing a negative opinion of the government or the war was a high offense. With such acts, people were not allowed to support opposing war efforts. The American people are bounded by the laws in the Sedition and Espionage Acts. Any violators of these laws were prosecuted for betraying their oath of Allegiance. Notably, Eugene Debs was condemned for doing exactly this. A nationwide controversy sparked and it seemed as if everyone had an opinion regarding the American government forcing silence upon its citizens for the sake of war. This controversy is especially seen in HR, as people condemned these violators of the oath, like Debs. In an article written in the Richmond-Times