During World War I, Congress authorized two controversial pieces of legislation: the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918. The Espionage Act was ratified to “suppress.” the propagation of alleged disloyalty and to maintain the public image of remarkable national unity behind the war effort” (James and Wells, 71). The law hindered free speech and freedom of the press, some of which appear to be the antithesis of the Constitution's First Amendment. Most of the Espionage Act would only be in effect during wartime, but two of its provisions remained in effect during peacetime. In times of peace (and war), the Espionage Act granted the “issuance of search warrants for the seizure of ‘property used as a means of committing crime’ (“Treason,” 223). Additionally, he took action against the sending of allegedly illegal documents through the post: a task overseen by the Postmaster General. There have been various fines and prison sentences depending on the offense committed under the Espionage Act. The fine for sending undeliverable mail was $5,000, five years in prison, or possibly both (“Treason,” 223). Those found guilty of violating the Espionage Act would face “penalties of up to twenty years and fines of $10,000” (James and Wells, 71). Dissatisfied with the scope of the Espionage Act, Congress was forced to add an amendment to further penalize "crimes." of disloyalty” against the United States (James and Wells, 71). Congress passed an amendment known as the Sedition Act, which expanded the scope of what would be considered disloyal to the United States. After the war, at least one bill was introduced allowing more espionage laws to be enacted during times of crisis. p...... middle of paper ...... Wilson assumed the persona of leader of a "just war", and with much support from the people, he went to Congress to request a declaration of war (James and Wells, 26). Although not everyone was in favor of war, the vast majority were overwhelmingly in favor of war. Congress passed the declaration of war against Germany, primarily on the basis of its unrestricted use of submarines against American ships. Thus, through the actions taken by the Germans, the United States would begin to become involved in the Great War. Works Cited James, D. Clayton and Anne Sharp Wells. America and the Great War, 1914-1920. Wheeling: Harlan Davidson, 1998. Print. Traxel, David. 1898: the birth of the American century. New York: AA Knopf, 1998. Print “Treason, Sedition, and Civil Rights in American Law.” Congressional Digest 14.10 (1935): 227-231. Premier Academic Research. EBSCO. Internet. October 10. 2011.