The Espionage Act (1917) and the Sedition Act (1918) a) were the first federal restrictions on free speech since 1798. b) were put on the books but never applied. c) copied similar legislation from Germany, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire. d) drew mostly from similar language in state law. e) came after strong public calls for a more "defensible democracy."

The Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 came about during World War I, a time of heightened national security concerns and anti-German sentiment in the United States. These laws aimed to prevent interference with military operations and to suppress disloyalty, leading to significant implications for civil liberties. They marked the first major federal move to curb free speech, distinguishing this period as one of the earliest instances of aggressive government action against dissenters under the 1st Amendment. In real-world applications, the Espionage and Sedition Acts had far-reaching effects, resulting in thousands of arrests and convictions, including prominent figures like socialist Eugene V. Debs. This legislation set a precedent for future governmental restrictions on speech during times of war and national crisis, leading to ongoing debates about the balance between national security and civil liberties that resonate in contemporary discussions around free expression and dissent.