Overview

Although the United States prides itself on freedom of speech being the law of the land, Ray Bradbury saw government censorship as a real threat in the early 1950s and wanted to warn people about the dangers of such censorship. This handout gives students important background information about the history of censorship in the United States from the creation of the Bill of Rights until today. Use this handout to spark discussion and debate in your classroom. Encourage students to identify examples of censorship they’ve witnessed or experienced. Ask critical thinking questions, such as:

-Is there ever a time when censorship is necessary?
-Who has the right to censor, and when?

Downloads

  • The History of Censorship in the United States