Anti-War

Posters were used to protest the war in 1915. 

The First Amendment is specifically important when people have opinions that disagree with the government. However, during wartime dissent can be viewed as unpatriotic or dangerous. A perfect example of what can happen when the government restricts anti-war speech is what happened during World War 1. 

Protests to the Sedition Act

During this time period, the government would prosecute anyone who criticized the government's war efforts or opposed the war. The Sedition Act of 1918 made it a federal crime to speak write or publish anything against the government. I believe this law was completely unjust and contradicts the first amendment. 

Dissent doesn't necessarily mean someone is against their country. Someone can disagree with a war while still caring about the country. Being able to question the government's decisions can help give other people different views to look from. Instead of everyone accepting one perspective. 

The government is so worried about people talking poorly about them that they try and censor all of the speech against them. This is a violation to our First Amendment and makes the government look even more guilty. 

Anti-War Website 

Aside from the traditional news, people have other ways to expresses their opinions such as independent publications like ANTIWAR.COM.  Even though authors are getting published and can speak freely on this website, it does not reach mainstream. I have never seen nor heard of this website. 

I think it's important for people to hear different opinions especially during wartime. The government is making decisions that can affect millions of people. If people are not allowed to speak against these decisions then we are only hearing one side of the story. People should be able to make their own opinions based on different information instead of only hearing what the government wants them to hear. 

Why does our protection under the first amendment become less important during wartime?