19. What two laws/acts limited the free speech of Americans during World War I?

## Step 1<br />During World War I, the United States government passed two laws that significantly limited the free speech rights of American citizens. These laws were the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The Espionage Act of 1917 was passed shortly after the United States entered World War I. This act made it a crime to interfere with the war effort, to support U.S. enemies, or to promote insubordination in the military.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The Sedition Act of 1918 further expanded the scope of the Espionage Act. It made it a crime to "willfully and unlawfully" utter, print, write, or publish any language that would cast the government or the war effort in a negative light or incite resistance to the war.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />These laws were used to suppress dissent and criticism of the government and the war effort. They were controversial at the time and have been criticized for infringing on the First Amendment rights of free speech and the press.