Teaching Moments: the Angelo Herndon Indictment


Home	Teaching Moments: The Angelo Herndon Indictment Background and Additional Resources on Angelo Herndon Browse Angelo Herndon materials Start by browsing materials concerning Angelo Herndon and his indictment. You may also want to read some background information or look up any relevant additional resources. Discussion Questions: According to the copy of the indictment of Angelo Herndon, Herndon is accused of "attempting to incite insurrection." What three acts are cited as reasons for this accusation? Do you believe these acts justify the charge? Herndon's indictment lists a number of leaflets and texts in Herndon's possession as part of the evidence against him. What were these texts? Why were they seen as dangerous? What other texts have been considered "dangerous" or in need of censorship in the past or today? Do you believe such censorship is justified? Why, why not, or under what circumstances? In "Face Electric Chair for Agitating," Mary Barker argues that Herndon's indictment was influenced by unionization efforts of local workers in Atlanta. What other historical factors may have contributed to Herndon's indictment in 1932? Do you believe his actions would have resulted in the same criminal charges in 1972? Or in 2002? Why or why not? What arguments are made against Herndon's indictment in "Resolution," "Statement Prepared and Signed by the Citizens of Atlanta," and in "Protest against the indictment of Angelo Herndon"? Do you agree or disagree with these protests? What possible counter-arguments might be made? Why do you think one protest ends with the disclaimer, "This protest is not an endorsement of communism"?
Browse by Collection
Browse by Subject
Teaching Moments
About this Site
Additional Resources
MARBL
Woodruff Library

Copyright 2006 Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Questions? Email us: marbl@emory.edu or visit us online http://marbl.library.emory.edu/

Teaching Moments:
The Angelo Herndon Indictment

Background and Additional Resources on Angelo Herndon
Browse Angelo Herndon materials

Start by browsing materials concerning Angelo Herndon and his indictment. You may also want to read some background information or look up any relevant additional resources.

Discussion Questions:

According to the copy of the indictment of Angelo Herndon, Herndon is accused of "attempting to incite insurrection." What three acts are cited as reasons for this accusation? Do you believe these acts justify the charge?

Herndon's indictment lists a number of leaflets and texts in Herndon's possession as part of the evidence against him. What were these texts? Why were they seen as dangerous? What other texts have been considered "dangerous" or in need of censorship in the past or today? Do you believe such censorship is justified? Why, why not, or under what circumstances?

In "Face Electric Chair for Agitating," Mary Barker argues that Herndon's indictment was influenced by unionization efforts of local workers in Atlanta. What other historical factors may have contributed to Herndon's indictment in 1932? Do you believe his actions would have resulted in the same criminal charges in 1972? Or in 2002? Why or why not?

What arguments are made against Herndon's indictment in "Resolution," "Statement Prepared and Signed by the Citizens of Atlanta," and in "Protest against the indictment of Angelo Herndon"? Do you agree or disagree with these protests? What possible counter-arguments might be made? Why do you think one protest ends with the disclaimer, "This protest is not an endorsement of communism"?