The Supreme Court Case of Schenk v. United States (1919) was one of the first cases to address issues of the First Amendment. This landmark case established the basis for the “clear and present danger” test, which is used to determine the constitutionality of speech and the limits of freedom of expression.
In Schenk v. United States (1919), Charles T. Schenk was found guilty of violating the Espionage Act of 1917 for having distributed leaflets opposing the draft, which he was charged with encouraging others to resist and obstruct.
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled 7-2 in favor of the government, holding that the leaflets constituted a “clear and present danger” of inciting disorder or violence. The Court established the “clear and present danger” test, the basis for which is that speech may be restricted if it creates a “clear and present danger” that it will harm or incite violence.
Today, the “clear and present danger” test is used to determine the constitutionality of speech and the limits of freedom of expression. In other words, it is used to assess whether or not a certain type of speech will cause a clear and present danger to the public. The words and phrases made famous by the case, such as “clear and present danger,” are still widely used today.
The impact of Schenk v. United States (1919) can be felt to this day in the way that the First Amendment is interpreted and applied. Understanding this case is critical to understanding the legal foundation of the First Amendment and how it continues to shape the debate on free speech in the United States.