From Foreign Policy · Sam Thielman · · 2m
How a World War I Crackdown Predicted ICE
Graphic novel reveals 1916 U.S. crackdown parallels modern immigration policies.
In brief
Graphic novel reveals 1916 U.S. crackdown parallels modern immigration policies. Derf Backderf's 2026 graphic novel shows 1916 U.S. government crackdowns on dissent mirror current immigration enforcement tactics. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Graphic novel sets historical parallel
Derf Backderf's 2026 graphic novel The Dissidents shows 1916 U.S. government crackdowns on dissent mirror modern immigration enforcement tactics.
“The Dissidents: Autocrats! Vigilantes! Communists! And Cartoonists!”
1916 U.S. government crackdowns
The U.S. government under Woodrow Wilson prosecuted dissenting speech as treason and threatened opponents with deportation.
“The U.S. government under Woodrow Wilson prosecuted dissenting speech as treason and threatened opponents with deportation”
The Masses magazine
The Masses was a Greenwich Village magazine publishing cartoons, poetry, political essays and interviews with Lenin.
“The Masses was a Greenwich Village magazine publishing cartoons, poetry, political essays and interviews with Lenin”
The Masses shut down
The Masses shut down after the Espionage Act of 1917 due to U.S. Postal Service refusing delivery.
“The Masses shut down after the Espionage Act of 1917 due to U.S. Postal Service refusing delivery”
The Liberator magazine
The Liberator continued The Masses' mission with milder tone after 1917.
“The Liberator continued The Masses' mission with milder tone after 1917”
Woodrow Wilson's policies
Wilson signed Sedition Act of 1918 and Espionage Act while expanding government office segregation.
“Wilson signed Sedition Act of 1918 and Espionage Act while expanding government office segregation”
Bureau of Cartoons
Wilson created Bureau of Cartoons to censor editorial cartoonists under Espionage Act.
“Wilson created Bureau of Cartoons to censor editorial cartoonists under Espionage Act”
American Protective League
Wilson approved American Protective League to conduct draft card checks and arrests.
“Wilson approved American Protective League to conduct draft card checks and arrests”
Art Young's activism
Art Young drew scathing critiques of capitalism and was charged under Espionage Act.
“Art Young drew scathing critiques of capitalism and was charged under Espionage Act”
Robert Minor's imprisonment
Robert Minor was imprisoned abroad for organizing French railway workers to strike.
“Robert Minor was imprisoned abroad for organizing French railway workers to strike”
Maurice Becker's arrest
Maurice Becker was arrested as conscientious objector and tortured at Fort Leavenworth.
“Maurice Becker was arrested as conscientious objector and tortured at Fort Leavenworth”
Wall Street Journal editorial
Wall Street Journal editorial claimed militant pacifists lacked urgency for hemp or lamp-posts.
“Wall Street Journal editorial claimed militant pacifists lacked urgency for hemp or lamp-posts”
Modern parallels
2024 Republican National Convention signs urged mass deportation now.
“2024 Republican National Convention signs urged mass deportation now”
Emma Goldman's deportation
Emma Goldman was deported after 1917 due to radical activism.
“Emma Goldman was deported after 1917 due to radical activism”
Historical context
The Dissidents shows how artistic expression changed under wartime pressures.
“The Dissidents shows how artistic expression changed under wartime pressures”
Conclusion
The Dissidents reveals historical patterns of government crackdowns that persist today.
“The Dissidents reveals historical patterns of government crackdowns that persist today”
What matters most
Derf Backderf's 2026 graphic novel shows 1916 U.S. government crackdowns on dissent mirror current immigration enforcement tactics.
