Question 20

Why were the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 used by President Woodrow Wilson's administration during World War I?

Group of answer choices

to silence critics of the war effort

to put German Americans in camps

to remove communists from government positions

to discourage congressional support for the war effort

To silence critics of the war effort

Explanation:

The Espionage Act of 1917 prohibited individuals from interferring with American military operations, including recruitment. It also prohibited an American Citizens from supporting enemy countries during World War I.

Several people, including German immigrants, labor leaders, socialists, and communists, were targeted and affected by the act.

The Sedition Act of 1918 expanded the powers of the Espionage Act, making it illegal to express a negative opinion about the American war effort.

This Act was repealed in 1920, after the war ended, while the Espionage Act is still in place.