Question

the socialist labor leader eugene debs was an outspoken critic of u.s. involvement in world war i. in a speech in canton, illinois in 1918, he called for resistance to the military draft. he was arrested and convicted of sedition. this excerpt is from his testimony during his appeal to the supreme court. i admit being opposed to the present form of government. i admit being opposed to the present social system... i believe in the constitution of the united states. isnt it strange that we socialists stand almost alone today in defending the constitution of the united states? the revolutionary fathers who had been oppressed under king rule understood that free speech and the right of free - assembly by the people were the fundamental principles of democratic government. which situation led to debss arrest and conviction? a. a constitutional amendment outlawed membership in the socialist and communist parties. b. congress passed the espionage and sedition acts that limited first amendment rights. c. u.s. military failures caused the wilson administration to expand presidential powers. d. communist sympathizers had infiltrated the state department and other agencies.

Explanation:

Eugene Debs was arrested and convicted for opposing the military - draft during World War I. During this time, Congress passed the Espionage and Sedition Acts which restricted free - speech and other First Amendment rights. Debs' anti - war speech was seen as a violation of these acts.

Answer:

B. Congress passed the Espionage and Sedition Acts that limited First Amendment rights.