Freedom v. Security during WWI

Debt Reduction Every year the government spends more money than it raises from tax revenue. It is able to do so by borrowing money (from future generations and from other countries). Each year that the government runs a deficit, the national debt increases. This means that the US owes money to future generations (and that programs like Welfare and Medicare may not be available down the road). It also means that the US owes LOTS of money to foreign nations (which, in a sense, gives them power over us). Debt Reduction includes cutting government programs and increasing taxes so that the national debt decreases.

Trade-Off’s  Explain why this value is IMPORTANT or NECESSARY…  Debt reduction is necessary because it helps our country be prepared for the future. Every year that the government spends more money than it has, the national debt increases. Eventually, that money will have to be repaid. By being reckless with our spending now, we are only hurting future generations.  Explain what society would look like WITHOUT this value. What would happen if the government took this right away?  Without focusing on debt reduction, our society will continue to become more and more in debt. Future generations will have less and less money to spend on support programs, and they will have more and more responsibility to pay off the debts owed for things we spent money on today.  _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

National Security Protecting the safety of the people in the United States is important. People need to feel safe in order to be happy and to live good lives. The government helps to protect the security of the nation by investigating threats, limiting and checking who is able to enter the country, and sometimes by restricting the freedom that individuals have (for example, to express dangerous ideas or make plans to hurt the government or other people).

Trade-Off’s  Explain why this value is IMPORTANT or NECESSARY…  National security is essential for protecting the safety of American citizens. The government needs to identifying and stop possible attacks. People can’t live in fear of a future attack. It is the government’s responsibility to keep the people safe, even if that means giving a bit more power to the government.  Explain what society would look like WITHOUT this value. What would happen if the government took this right away?  If the government did not value national security at all, the nation would be in chaos. If people do not trust that they are safe, they may not make rational decisions. There would be greater violence and more stress if people were always afraid that their lives and livelihoods are in danger.  _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

Directions ①Find a partner with a different value ②Teach each other about your values…  Say, “This value is important because…” and “If the government did not value _____ at all, then…”  Next ask, “Which value is more important to you?” ③Trade cards IF you both like the other value. ④Keep your cards IF you like your own better, or if you both like the same value.

Discuss  Discuss your choices with a partner Use the following phrases… – “I think ___ is more important than __ because…” – “I put ___ first because…” – “I put ___ last because…” – “Without ___, no other values matter because…” – “Which value did you rank highest?” – “Why do you think __ is more important than __?”

World War I, the Draft, and Free Speech The US remained neutral for most of WWI – THINK: Monroe Doctrine Public opinion was against Germany – THINK: Lusitania In 1917, the US joined WWI on the side of the Allies – THINK: Zimmermann Note The Zimmermann Telegram

World War I, the Draft, and Free Speech In general, Americans wanted to stay out – WWI was very unpopular So, the US Government passed a draft – Forced young men to join the army (or go to jail) Some people spoke out against the draft This SCARED the government!

A flyer protesting the draft

Were WWI critics anti-American?

Espionage & Sedition Laws To prevent people from protesting the draft, President Wilson passed two laws making it illegal to speak out against the government – Espionage Act (1917) – Sedition Act (1917) MEANS… Creating chaos, or encourages people to fight authority NOTE: Communism encourages (actually, it requires) there to be a revolution NOTE: Communism encourages (actually, it requires) there to be a revolution

First Amendment Congress shall make no law… respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Does the Sedition Act violate the First Amendment?

Opinion delivered by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. The character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done. The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting “Fire!” in a theatre and causing a panic... The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent... When a nation is at war many things that might be said in time of peace are such a hindrance to its effort that their utterance will not be endured so long as men fight and that no Court could regard them as protected by any constitutional right.

Discussion Norms We are all abecedarians Active listening Challenge ideas, not persons Share the floor: Everyone speaks When in doubt, ask a question

Discussion Circles The way I see it is… I believe that… I think I see it differently… The reason I believe this is… What do you think about…? Why do you think that…?