LAD #30: Schenck vs. US Case

Socialist advocate, Charles Schenck, believed that The Great War would solely benefit the rich and in fact hurt the poor. Schenck participated in various anti-war activities that violated the Espionage Act in order to support his cause. Then in 1917, he was arrested because he was working against the war efforts. However, he appealed his case to the Supreme Court because he believed that the Espionage Act was a violation of the first amendment (the freedom of speech). Sadly, the court decided to uphold his conviction. Holmes said that Schenck’s actions were a “clear and present danger” to the country because he was working against the war effort, but he believed that some rights had to be sacrificed for the good of the nation during wartime.