S. government, flag, or uniform. In 1918 Eugene V. Debs, a prominent social party leader who delivered speeches denouncing capitalism and the war was convicted for violating the Espionage Act and spent the duration of the war in jail. Although some saw the Espionage and Sedition acts as infringements on their personal rights, the majority of Americans rallied behind the acts and the CPI in an effort to support their troops abroad. .
In 1916 Congress had passed the National Defense Act, which enlarged the army and approved appropriations for the navy. The same year, the Council of National Defense was also passed. The council's agenda included preparing the civilian population for mobilization and coordinating industries and resources for national security and defense. These steps were small compared to those that would have to be taken to create an army large enough to fight in Europe. In May of 1917, Wilson turned to conscription and passed the Selective Service Act. The Act provided for the registration of all men between the ages of 21 and 30. This draft was different from the one used prior to the Spanish-American war because it also included African Americans. Nearly three million men were drafted under the Selective service act. The United States navy played an integral part in the transportation of troops. At the height of the war, 10,000 soldiers arrived in France every day. American destroyers were also used to blockade Germany, which proved highly successful in cutting off supplies to the German home front. Another factor that was vital to organizing the army in preparation for war was the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). Headed by John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, the AEF grew into an exceptional fighting force that swayed many battles against Germany. Through the Selective Service Act and the AEF, the United States was able to create a fighting force large and strong enough to defeat the old world powers of Europe.