Monday, February 13, 2012

LAD #30 Schenck vs. US


In the supreme court trial Schenck vs. US, first amendment rights were up in the air. The first amendment states that all citizens shall have free speech, in other words citizens can talk about whatever they feel, and not worry about being punished. Charles Schenck a secretary for the socialist party sent anti propaganda speaking out against the war. But it was not only the war, but it went against the draft encouraging people to avoid it. He was charged with conspiracy, and in the end the supreme court decided in favor of the United States. Stating that the circumstances of the situation rule against Schenck, in peacetime it is one thing to speack out against the draft, however during wartime it is dangerous to speak out against the draft. Since it is in the country's best interest.