Sedition

Sedition, incitement of the violent overthrow of the government. During World War I Congress passed sedition and espionage acts that banned communications attacking the U.S. government. In appealing convictions under these acts to the U.S. Supreme Court, defendants claimed a violation of their freedom of speech and press. The Court paid some attention to Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes's “clear and present danger” test but gave more weight to the “evil intent” of the defendants and, without exception, upheld their convictions.