In what year was the Espionage Act created?

The Espionage Act was established in 1917, primarily during World War I, to address issues of espionage and sabotage that arose during the conflict. It was meant to prevent interference with military operations and the support of U.S. enemies during wartime. The Act made it a crime to convey information judged harmful to the national defense and was instrumental in shaping the legal framework for handling issues related to espionage and information security in the United States. Its introduction was a significant step toward establishing legal consequences for actions that could undermine national security, reflecting the heightened sense of vulnerability and the need for stringent laws during wartime.

The other options represent years that are not tied to the creation of the Espionage Act and hence do not align with the legislative history of the United States concerning espionage laws.