| Description |
xiii, 572 pages ; 25 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 493-550) and index. |
| Summary |
The governmental pledge to the American people is found in the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." Written more than two hundred years ago, these words now protect a wide range of expressive activity. Revolutionary Sparks is a broadgauged discussion of freedom of expression in America that begins by studying the period after the Civil War and Reconstruction when new and unsettling ideas appeared with great regularity on the American scene. These ideas were so widespread during this period that the nation's leaders often joined forces to repress aberrant notions. In response to such suppression, individuals seeking to better their lives through the expression of new ideas began to demand their rights to speak, write, and associate together to advance their points of view. With a broad grounding in political and social history, rather than the more prevalent legalistic orientation, Blanchard traces this contest for control through the Watergate scandal of the 1970s and the Reagan and early Bush administrations. Presenting the first comprehensive history of freedom of speech, Blanchard ranges from questions of national security to those of public morality, from loyalty during times of national stress to the right to preach on a public street corner. Including examinations of controversies involving the press, the national government, the Supreme Court, and civil liberties and civil rights concerns, Revolutionary Sparks presents a strong case for the right of Americans to speak their minds and to have access to the knowledge necessary for informed self-government. |
| Contents |
Seeking Conformity: Freedom of Expression in the Age of Enterprise -- Setting the Stage for Repression: Freedom of Expression in the Early Twentieth Century -- Making the World Safe for Democracy: Freedom of Expression during World War I -- Facing New Challenges: Freedom of Expression in the 1920s -- Inching toward a Marketplace of Ideas: Freedom of Expression in the 1930s -- Fighting the Good War: Freedom of Expression during World War II -- Combating the Red Menace: Freedom of Expression in the Cold War -- Manning the Barricades: Freedom of Expression in the Vietnam Era -- Striking Back at Dissenters: Freedom of Expression in the Early Nixon Years -- Toppling a President: Freedom of Expression in the Age of Watergate -- Reaping the Whirlwind: Freedom of Expression in an Age of Reaction. |
| Subject |
Freedom of speech -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
|
|
Freedom of the press -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
|
|
Freedom of speech. (OCoLC)fst00934044
|
|
Freedom of the press. (OCoLC)fst00934063
|
|
United States. (OCoLC)fst01204155
|
|
Recht van meningsuiting.
|
|
Freedom of speech -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
|
|
Freedom of the press -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
|
| Chronological Term |
1900-1999
|
| Indexed Term |
Freedom of speech |
|
United States |
| Genre/Form |
History. (OCoLC)fst01411628
|
| ISBN |
0195054369 (acid-free paper) |
|
9780195054361 (acid-free paper) |
|
