Source: U.S. Sedition Act 1918 Notes

U.S. Sedition Act of 1918

• Legislative Context

  • Enacted on May 16, 1918

  • A significant amendment to Section 3 of the Espionage Act of June 15, 1917

  • Repealed in 1921

• Full Citation

  • Title: United States, Statutes at Large

  • Location: Washington, D.C.

  • Year: 1918

  • Volume: XL

  • Pages: 553 ff.

• Core Provisions of Section 3

  • Prohibition of False Reports

  • When the U.S. is at war, anyone who willfully makes or conveys false reports or statements with the intent to:

    • Interfere with the success of U.S. military or naval forces

    • Promote the success of enemy forces

  • Incitement of Military Disobedience

  • Making or conveying false reports, statements, or inciting actions that result in:

    • Insubordination

    • Disloyalty

    • Mutiny

    • Refusal of duty within military or naval forces

  • Obstruction of Military Recruitment

  • Willfully obstructing the recruiting or enlistment service of the United States

  • Disloyal Language

  • Willfully uttering, printing, writing, or publishing any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language regarding:

    • The government of the United States

    • The Constitution of the United States

    • The military or naval forces of the United States

  • Display of Enemy Flags

  • Willfully displaying a flag of any foreign enemy

  • Advocacy against U.S. Interests

  • Willfully urging, inciting, or advocating for the curtailment of production

  • Advocating, teaching, defending, or suggesting any of the acts prohibited in this section

  • Support of Enemy Causes

  • Supporting or favoring any country with which the United States is at war, or opposing the cause of the United States

• Penalties

  • Violators shall be punished by:

  • A fine of up to $10,000

  • Imprisonment for up to twenty years

  • Or both