Paul Conney
Mr. DeCarlo
AP American
6 March 2007

LAD 26-Schenck vs. US

In 1919, the First Amendment to the Constitution was challenged in the court case Schenck vs. US. Charles Schenck, a socialist, had circulated a flyer urging people to resists the draft during WWI. The flyer cited the thirteenth amendment’s provision against “involuntary solitude,” trying to get men to oppose the draft by peaceful resistance. He was convicted of violating the Espionage Act of 1917 by attempting to cause insubordination in the military and to obstruct recuitment.