Expansion of Government’s Powers from 1917 to 1932

Expansion of government’s powers between 1917 to 1932
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Introduction
In the 1900s, the United States underwent revolutionary changes that improved the economy and social life greatly. This growth was mainly attributed to the government’s practice of laissez-faire; a management technique that limits the role of government in how companies and people act. However, between 1917 and 1932, the government passed numerous legislations that silenced the public’s opinion on the US involvement in World War I, restricted the entry of immigrants into the country, and prohibited the production, distribution, sale, and consumption of alcohol. This period also corresponds with the military eviction of Bonus Marchers at the nation’s capital and the Palmer raids, which arrested, prosecuted, and deported people for questioning the rise of communism in the country. Although the government argued that some of these legislations and actions were necessary for redefining patriotism, some historians have argued that they enabled the government to expand its powers. This paper examines how the government expanded its powers on matters relating to freedom of speech, the economy, and immigration.
Freedom of speech
Freedom of expression, speech, and peaceful gatherings is a significant element of the constitution that allows people to express their views without intimidation or fear of retribution. However, between 1917 to 1932, the expansion of the government powers threatened these rights. The Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 were passed to enable the government to have powers to quash anti-war speeches. Before the passage of the two acts, there was massive opposition by both immigrants and Native Americans who wanted America to remain neutral in World War I. The impact of the Espionage Act of 1917 was even felt in postal services because it gave postal officials the authority to ban newspapers and magazines from the mails and threatened individuals convicted of obstructing the draft with $10,000 fines and 20 years in jail.
Just like the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918, the Palmer raids aimed to silence people who expressed concern over the rising number of communist in the country after the conclusion of World War I. The raids focused on immigrants, especially Italian and Eastern European Jewish immigrants, who were accused of having ties to leftists, anarchists, and labor activities. Likewise, the eviction of the Bonus army from the nation’s capitol was another instance that reflected the expanding power of the government. The Bonus Marchers were demanding their bonus certificates because the financial strain of the Great Depression had impacted them significantly. Rather than paying or negotiating with the Bonus Marchers, President Herbert Hoover ordered the military to silence them.
Before the passage of the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918, the Wilson administration had argued Congress to redefine the meaning of loyalty and patriotism. As a result, when the two legislations passed, the government argued that they were not limiting peoples’ rights but rather were targeting socialists, pacifists, and an...