Questions: During World War I and throughout the 1920s, the Court was unforgiving of dissent and harshly ruled against unpopular political views and distributing materials critical of the American government During World War I, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was formed in order to defend the right of dissent, but it was not until the 1920s that it was able to successfully mobilize in defense of civil liberties. In the 1920s, the Supreme Court started overturning convictions of people for just expressing their point of view. During World War I, the Supreme Court oppressed free speech, but throughout the 1920s it reconsidered these rules and began to defend the Bill of Rights.

To address the question, we need to determine which statements are correct and which are incorrect regarding the actions of the Supreme Court and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) during World War I and the 1920s.

Correct Answer(s):

1. During World War I, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was formed in order to defend the right of dissent, but it was not until the 1920s that it was able to successfully mobilize in defense of civil liberties.

   • This statement is correct. The ACLU was indeed formed during World War I, in 1920, to protect civil liberties, including the right to dissent. It became more effective in the 1920s.

2. In the 1920s, the Supreme Court started overturning convictions of people for just expressing their point of view.

   • This statement is correct. During the 1920s, the Supreme Court began to take a more protective stance on free speech, as seen in cases like Gitlow v. New York (1925), which started to apply the First Amendment to the states.

Incorrect Answer(s):

1. During World War I and throughout the 1920s, the Court was unforgiving of dissent and harshly ruled against unpopular political views and distributing materials critical of the American government.

   • This statement is incorrect. While the Court was harsh during World War I, the 1920s saw a shift towards more protection of free speech.

2. During World War I, the Supreme Court oppressed free speech, but throughout the 1920s it reconsidered these rules and began to defend the Bill of Rights.

   • This statement is partially correct but misleading. The Supreme Court did begin to reconsider its stance on free speech in the 1920s, but it was a gradual process, and the full defense of the Bill of Rights evolved over a longer period.

In summary, the correct answers focus on the formation and mobilization of the ACLU and the Supreme Court's evolving stance on free speech during the 1920s.