<P> Once war was declared, the more liberal denominations, which had endorsed the Social Gospel, called for a war for righteousness that would help uplift all mankind . The theme--an aspect of American exceptionalism--was that God had chosen America as his tool to bring redemption to the world . </P> <P> Leading up to 1917 and the declaration of war against Germany, the labor unions, socialists, members of the Old Right, and pacifist groups in the United States publicly opposed participation, the obvious motive for the 1916 Preparedness Day Bombing stemming from this . When Woodrow Wilson ran for reelection in 1916 on the slogan "He Kept Us Out of War", he received support from these groups (although the Socialist Party of America ran its own candidate, Allan Benson). After Wilson was reelected, though, events quickly spiraled into war . The Zimmermann Telegram and resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany provoked outrage in the U.S., and Congress declared war on April 6 . Conscription was introduced shortly thereafter, which the anti-war movement bitterly opposed . Many socialist, typified by Walter Lippmann, became enthusiastic supporters of the war . So too did Samuel Gompers and the great majority of organized labor unions . However, the IWW--"Wobblies"--gained strength by opposing the war . </P> <P> The Espionage Act of 1917 was passed to prevent spying but also contained a section which criminalized inciting or attempting to incite any mutiny, desertion, or refusal of duty in the armed forces, punishable with a fine of not more than $10,000, not more than twenty years in federal prison, or both . Thousands of Wobblies and anti-war activists were prosecuted on authority of this and the Sedition Act of 1918, which tightened restrictions even more . Among the most famous was Eugene Debs, chairman of the Socialist Party of the USA for giving an anti-draft speech in Ohio . The U.S. Supreme Court upheld these prosecutions in a series of decisions . </P> <P> Conscientious objectors were punished as well, most of them Christian pacifist inductees . They were placed directly in the armed forces and court - martialed, receiving draconian sentences and harsh treatment . A number of them died in Alcatraz Prison, then a military facility . Vigilante groups were formed which suppressed dissent as well, such as by rounding up draft - age men and checking if they were in possession of draft cards or not . </P>

Who was convinced and sentenced to 10 years in prison for giving an anti-war speech against wwi