Story perspectives

Today in History: Eleven Communist Leaders Convicted in Smith Trial

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 10:35 AM UTC · How we work

1 1

Summary

Story summary

In the first Smith Act trial, a New York jury found eleven Communist Party USA leaders guilty of violating the 1940 statute that criminalized advocacy of violent overthrow. The verdict launched a decade-long series of Cold-War prosecutions that tested First Amendment limits on political speech.

1 of 1

Story summary

In the first Smith Act trial, a New York jury found eleven Communist Party USA leaders guilty of violating the 1940 statute that criminalized advocacy of violent overthrow. The verdict launched a decade-long series of Cold-War prosecutions that tested First Amendment limits on political speech.