Understanding The Sedition Act of 2021
More than several times in American history the United States government passed
Sedition Acts.
The first time was the Sedition Act of 1789 followed by the Sedition Act of 1918.
First, let us look at the Sedition Act of 1798. The Sedition Act permitted the prosecution of individuals who voiced or printed what the government deemed to be malicious remarks about the president or government of the United States.
Below is an excellent yet dry account of the Sedition Act of 1798.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQxwYDsuY-kNext we take a look at the Sedition Act of 1918.
History outlines this Act as,
Aimed at socialists, pacifists and other anti-war activists, the Sedition Act imposed harsh penalties on anyone found guilty of making false statements that interfered with the prosecution of the war; insulting or abusing the U.S. government, the flag, the Constitution or the military; agitating against the production of necessary war materials; or advocating, teaching or defending any of these acts. Those who were found guilty of such actions, the act stated, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both. This was the same penalty that had been imposed for acts of espionage in the earlier legislation.
Below is another very good yet dry video on the Sedition Act of 1918, where German born men were put in internment camps between 1917 and 1919.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxQouIH7xtEThere are other Acts enacted since 1918 like, the 1942-43 internment of Japanese Americans by FDR as an example.
My whole point of this article is to point out that if you say to yourself, "ahh I am protected by the 1st Amendment. It will never happen here." Well Cupcake it has! Understand your history.
How far are we from being restricted on airplanes? Expressing our opinions online or letters to the Editor? Restricted from public gatherings like church or at our states capital's? How far are we away from
FEMA Trump Internment Camps?
What event will set off the Sedition Act of 2021?
