Propaganda Poster Analysis

Madison saw this as being treasonous and tried to have it repealed, but he was facing George Washington, who was the most respected person in the US at the time. Finally in the Sedition Act which was signed in by President John Adams, it was aimed at silencing editors who openly talked bad about the government. It was greatly opposed by most Republicans and greatly supported by Federalists. Later, as it was put into motion it actually backfired, with many immigrants and former Federalists defecting to the Republicans. All these things were issues that were debated by the founding brothers, but their voices are what also made them significant.

The second and third acts, The Alien Enemies, and Alien Friends Acts, gave the government the power to deport aliens living in the States (“The Alien,”n.d).Which would allow the government to remove any perceived threats or simply anyone that could have been labeled as unpatriotic, without the need for a trial. The fear of a French invasion was so great, that a sense of witch hunt hysteria was spreading through John Adam’s Federalist party. This also allowed the federalist’s the power to remove any immigrants that were in favor of the Democratic-Republican party, thus weakening the party further. Lastly, and certainly the most controversial Act, The Sedition Act, the rights of American citizens themselves were violated by prohibiting assembly “with intent to oppose any measure … of the government” and made it illegal for any person to “print, utter, or publish … any false, scandalous, and malicious writing” against the government, or specifically anyone against the Federalist Party” (“Sedition,”n.d). These laws were the first examples in the United States of controlling immigration and free will, amid fear of foreigners and hysteria, coupled with a willingness to suppress resentment and punish those who spoke out against the Federalist party.

Government censorship continued with the passing of the Espionage Act in 1917 and the Sedition Amendment in 1918. The Espionage Act and Sedition Amendment condemned any antiwar activity or desecrating of the government, Constitution, flag, or military. The American public could not have an opinion, unless that opinion supported the war and government. Even Wilson stated, "Woe be to the man or group of men that seeks to stand in our way." Government censorship and “unpatriotic acts”, as deemed by the Espionage Act and Sedition Amendment, gave birth to a suspicious nation.

During World War one, the United States Navy Recruiting Bureau, and the United States Treasury Department each commissioned posters featuring women who encouraged citizens to participate in the war effort. The two posters, despite being intended for the same purpose, depict women in particularly contrasting light. Analysis of the contrasting war posters can help illustrate society’s perspective about women during the early 1900’s, their expected roles pertaining to the war effort, the strategies used to engage citizens and encourage them to become involved, and the use of imagery and symbolism that were used to achieve the posters’ objective.

In the late 1910’s Congress passed the Espionage and Sedition Acts of 1917 and 1918 (ESA). Historian Howard Zinn sees the ESA as a malicious attempt by the U.S. government to “imprison Americans who spoke or wrote out against the war.” Zinn’s argument dismisses the idea that the ESA was a necessary step to ensure the integrity of a nation at war, as he believes that America’s entrance into WWI was motivated by a selfish desire for monetary gain and economic expansion. Zinn asserts that the U.S. government allowed American investors to “tie American finance closely to the interest of a British victory.” While Zinn’s ideas are well-argued and supported, they tell only one side of a complicated story. James West Davidson, however, tells another. He argues that at the time of the ESA’s passing, the United States had been pushed by German action into the first global conflict in its history. He describes the German U-boat attacks that were devastating the Atlantic, and the reports of “cracking morale” that were trickling in from the front lines, and asserts that the ESA was passed by a desperate government in order to combat protestors who attempted to sway public opinion against the war. Davidson never explicitly describes the ESA as good or bad, but he provides some valuable context that Zinn ignores. The ESA was not, as Zinn alleges, a heartless assault on the American coordinated “with all the power of the federal government and the money of big business behind it,” nor was it a shining example of individual freedoms. It was a complicated document with complicated implications, and consideration of only Zinn’s or Davidson’s writings eliminates the intricacies that were inherent in the ESA, and the circumstances that lead to its

It is evident that Matthew Lyon’s criticism of President Adams and his various policies in his letter to the editor of Spooner’s Vermont Journal was very thoughtful and passionate. However, Lyon was also very careful in that he did not urge for a “civil war” – as Abigail Adams contended was a threat of such criticism – or encourage any violent rebellion against the President or the United States government. For instance, Lyon calmly explains that he would happily support an executive who is focused on the well-being of the people, but he cannot be the “humble advocate” of an executive who focuses more on power than the “public welfare.” Lyon gives many reasons why he cannot support such an executive; however, all of his reasons provided were legitimate, well-spoken, and entirely non-violent in that they did not imply or encourage any type of rebellion. For this reason, I believe Lyon’s criticism of President Adams does not rise to the threat level of a “civil war” or any other violent or dangerous threat that the Federalists so greatly feared would occur if individuals were able to continue speaking out against Adams and the government. I believe Lyon’s verdict ended up being guilty because the fear of sedition at the time was so great amongst Federalists that they found him guilty because he could inspire others and potentially incite a rebellion. Such a rebellion could cause a “civil war” that Federalists believed would be a threat to both the

In the summer months of 1798, the Alien and Sedition Acts were written and passed by Congress. These acts were a cause of issues in America for three main reasons. They sparked controversy over the formation of parties, the allowance of immigration into the US, and America’s ability to maintain a healthy republic.

With the United States and France on the brink of war, the mostly Federalist congress passed four laws known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. With these acts the years of residency increased from five to fourteen years. The acts also gave the authority to deport and imprison aliens if the war broke out. The Sedition Act alone made it illegal to print, speak and publish any negative things about the government. Many feel these laws were used against an imposing party the Democratic- Republicans, whom many new citizens favored in office.

The Alien and Sedition acts were passed by a Federalist-dominated Congress. The goal was to protect the Federalist- dominated Congress against treasonous ideas. The act had made it illegal to produce any document that protested or criticized the government showing the hypocrisy in the government. The act had blatantly infringed on the First Amendment making it a crime to speak out against the government. This effectively silenced the opposition.

Why the Sons of Liberty Were Important in the Revolution The the Sons of Liberty were one of the most influential whig groups in the colonies. They helped rouse the population and committed various acts of defiance toward British rule. Without the Sons of Liberty their might have not been a revolution and our world would not be the same.

Government censorship continued with the passing of the Espionage Act in 1917 and the Sedition Amendment in 1918. The Espionage Act and Sedition Amendment condemned any antiwar activity or desecrating of the government, Constitution, flag, or military. The American public were almost at a point where they could not have an opinion, unless in support of the war and government. Even Wilson stated, "Woe be to the man or group of men that seeks to stand in our way." These acts of censorship gave birth to a suspicious nation.

● Then Alien and Sedition Acts threatened the political freedom in the US by violating the

In this November 23. 1944 issue of The Canadian Statesman we get a glimpse of this newspapers vast history. Starting on its front page of the paper one article would stand out to the readers would be “Legion Announces Their Stand on the Reinforcement Issue” (The Canadian Statesman, Pg.1) in this brief article it informs the reader that “We the Members of Branch No. 178, Canadian Legion, Bowmanville, regret your stand regarding draftees. We believe conscription for overseas service is the only fair and honorable method and that equality of sacrifice should be the basis of our war effort.” (The Canadian Statesman, Pg.1)

When John Adams passed the Alien and Sedition Act in 1798, people were very mad. Many thought that this act went against the constitution, specifically the first amendment. Others might disagree because they think that if a person is dangerous or says something to disrupt peace, the President should have the power to kick them out of the country. This act violates the constitution because one person should not be able to decide whether a person is dangerous or not. He might have bias that affects their decision. I also think that the act goes against the freedom of speech and the press.

If this act is confusing please go to the introduction the definition is there on what the Sedition Act is. Like before the law is under the Espionage Act. The reason is different though, but they are still the same in a way. Most people will think that these two acts should be combined. This Act was harsh, because people would get punished if they talked bad about the country or conspire.The punishment is a fine of $5000 and jail time for 6 months to -5 years. If it was in writing the fine would be $2000 and jail time not exceeding 2 years.This was in the 1918’s. So it was harsh, because the government did not want a bad