The Espionage Act and the Sedition Act made criticism of the government a crime.

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The Espionage Act and the Sedition Act were two pieces of legislation passed during World War I, with the aim of preventing anti-war sentiment and undermining the war effort. Both acts criminalized activities such as espionage, sabotage, and obstructing recruitment, but they also made it a crime to criticize the government, the military, or the war effort. These provisions were controversial and were later criticized as violating the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and the press.

The Espionage Act and the Sedition Act Made Criticism of the Government