Silencing the Opposition

Most of the essays collected here are authored or co-authored editor Craig Smith (communication studies, California State U.-Long Beach). The essays use historical examples, from 1790 to 2001, to show how the US government has used different rhetorical strategies to silence opponents. The historical examples, such as the alien and sedition crisis, suppression of the union movement, and suppression of Native American culture, include analysis of interpretations of the First Amendment in various Supreme Court decisions. Each of these crises is given context by reconstructing the background influences, external and internal threats, values, and attitudes of the participants. For this second edition, a new chapter on media and campaign reform demonstrates that government methods of suppression have become more sophisticated. There are also new chapters on the women's suffrage movement and restrictions on civil liberties in the wake of 9/11. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Craig R. Smith is Professor of Communication Studies at California State University, Long Beach, where he also directs the Center for First Amendment Studies. He has written many books, including The Four Freedoms of the First Amendment; Rhetoric and Human Consciousness: A History; and Daniel Webster and the Oratory of Civil Religion. He regularly publishes editorials on the subject of freedom of expression in such prestigious newspapers as the Miami Herald, Los Angeles Times, and Washington Post.