Civil Liberites

World War I broke out in Europe and America was said to be neutral.   However, how neutral can a country be as long as they were trading with Britain and Germany?   Although, it seems fair because they were trading with Germany as well the numbers took a plunge in 1916.   In 1917 the Germans created unrestricted submarine warfare. Sinking American passenger ships was a large problem and created more hatred towards Germany in America.   The more famous sinking of the Lusitania killed about 200 Americans.   Finally, the United had no choice they were going to enter the war.   In addition to that, the Zimmerman telegraph was a large factor in the United States entering because the messages went through Britain.   A message was decoded intended for Mexico to help Germany keep Americans busy and in turn Germany will help Mexico reclaim land from the Mexican-American war.   As World War I spread in Europe there was an important task at hand.   Mobilizing American’s mind was in Washington authorities agenda, so the Committee on Public information was created.   The committee functioned as a propaganda arm of the government.   George Creel, a journalist, began using propaganda as a tactic. There were various forms of propaganda such as posters and pamphlets handed out. This created even more hatred towards the Germans.   In fact there was about twelve percent of Germans living in the United States.   Although, they did not want the war they were treated poorly.   Some were tarred, feathered and beaten.   Many orchestras did not play German music, German books were taken off the shelves at libraries, and German classes were even canceled in schools.   The United States government did not want people speaking against the war and the draft, so civil liberties were created to limit problems.   A few acts such as the Espionage Act and the Sedition came out because the fear and anti-war Americans.   These set precedents to limit civil liberties as well a court case named Schenk V. U.S., which...