The American Protective League was a World War I-era private organization that worked in conjunction with the Bureau of Investigation to propagandize a pro-war message and to harass and intimidate anti-war citizens and organizations. Combatants Entente Powers Central Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties > 5 million military deaths > 3 million military deaths World War I, also known as the First World War and (before 1939) the Great War, the War of the Nations, War to End All Wars was a world conflict... For other uses of the initials FBI, see FBI (disambiguation). ...

Formed by wealthy Chicago businessmen, at its height of power the APL had 250,000 members in 600 cities. Officially condoned by the Attorney General, the APL offered financial resources to the Bureau of Investigation, the precursor to the FBI. Chicago (officially named the City of Chicago) is the third largest city in the United States (after New York City and Los Angeles), with an official population of 2,896,016, as of the 2000 census. ... In most common law jurisdictions, the Attorney General is the main legal adviser to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions. ... The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a Federal police force which is the principal investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ...

Although technically a private organization with no legal authority, APL members acted as vigilantes, often violating the civil liberties of American citizens. The APL harassed, detained, surveilled, and arrested citizens associated with progressive, labor, and pacifist movements. For the aircraft, see A-5 Vigilante. ... Civil liberties are protections from the power of governments. ... Pacifism is opposition to war. ...

In 1918, APL documents showed that 10% of its efforts (the largest of any category) were focused on disrupting the activities of the I.W.W. "Wobblies" labor union. The APL burgled, vandalized, and harassed I.W.W. members and their offices. These anti-union activities were almost wholly illegal and supported by the Wilson administration. 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW or the Wobblies) is an international union headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It contends that all workers should be united within a single union as a class and the wage system abolished. ... Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924) was the 28th President of the United States (1913–1921). ...

External links

American Protective League documents

John Taylor Gatto - American Protective League Article

• Repression Against the IWW