Why did the US Congress pass the Espionage Act in 1917?

1 Answer
Mar 29, 2018

Because of WWI

Explanation:

The USA joined WW1 in 1917 due to the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 and the Espionnage Act was aimed at targetting traitors or potential traitors. It was a major violation of the Bill of Rights which is common in time of war and some intellectuals like H.L Mencken were spied on by the FBI.