This lecture traces the history of civil rights and liberties during times of national conflict with a focus on the First Amendment’s Free Speech Clause from the Alien and Sedition Acts to the War on Terror.  In general, the court is more deferential to the executive branch during times of conflict and less tolerant of dissent.  After the conflict is passed, the court typically reasserts itself and expands civil rights and liberties to their pre-conflict levels.

Location: Liberty Hall, 325 W. Benton, lecture room