The Sedition Act expanded upon which previous act?

The Sedition Act expanded upon the Espionage Act. The Espionage Act, enacted in 1917 during World War I, made it a crime to interfere with the military operations or recruitment efforts of the United States, as well as to promote insubordination or disloyalty in the armed forces. It set the stage for the increased regulation of speech and the press during wartime.

The Sedition Act, which followed in 1918, further broadened the scope of offenses related to free speech and expression by making it illegal to speak out against the government, the war effort, or the U.S. military. It heightened the restrictions on the rights of individuals to express dissent, especially concerning the war and national security. This act was a response to growing concerns about anti-war sentiments and the perceived threat of sedition in a time of global conflict. Therefore, the Sedition Act can be seen as a direct extension of the principles established by the Espionage Act, amplifying the government's power to suppress dissenting voices in the name of national security.