ABSTRACT
Max Eastman was a central focus of the trial of The Masses. A prolific writer and political activist, he had already established a name for himself when he took the editor position of The Masses. The Masses was undoubtedly a collection of raucous individuals. Probably the most colorful character at The Masses trial, Young made a name for himself as an artist of Socialist cartoons, as well as a writer. A group active during the WWI years, the American Protective League (APL) was a private organization that went after anyone of German descent who they perceived to be a threat to the country and the war effort. The APL accused the federal government of not going far enough to counter anti-war activities. US Attorney General Thomas Watt Gregory believed that until a federal law was in place, the states should do such prosecution. With the Acts, the federal government was now officially persecuting and prosecuting dissenters of any sort.
