Schenck v. United States
Background Information
Charles Schenck was against the war. He mailed thousands of pamphlets to men who had been drafted into the armed forces. These pamphlets said that the government had no right to send American citizens to other countries to kill people. The government accused Schenck of violating the Espionage Act. They said that Schenck's pamphlets were stopping the military from recruiting new soldiers.
Constitutional Question
First Amendment, Freedom of Speech.
Decision/Lasting Effect
The Court ruled 9 votes for USA, 0 against. The Court conluded that Schneck is not protected under the First Amendment.