FBI+History


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=FBI History= 1908-The FBI was founded by Attorney General Charles Joseph Bonaparte under President Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy wanted a government agency that would investigate land thieves in the west and big trusts in the east so he made the FBI. It mainly investigated violations of federal laws, though. 1910-The [|Mann Act] is passed, making the immoral transport of women across state lines illegal. It also allowed the federal government to investigate lawbreakers who evaded the state government. 1917-The Selective Service Act gave the FBI the responsibility of prosecuting people that refused to register for the draft -The [|Espionage Act] made it a crime for anyone to give information to the enemy with the intent to interfere with the operation or success of the armed forces of the United States of America or to give information that would promote the success of the enemy. 1918-The [|Sedition Act] made it illegal to speak out against the government. This is a very controversal act, and people were arrested for reasons that would be unacceptable today. 1919-The [|Stolen Motor Vehicle Act] made stealing a motor vehicle a federal crime, therefore making the FBI responsible for prosecutions of stolen cars and also enabled the FBI to investigate a vehicle theft if the criminal crossed state lines. 1921-The country returns to normalcy, the FBI goes back to investigating the usual federal crimes. 1921-33-The "Lawless" years because of public disregard for prohibition. The FBI had no jurisdiction over prohibition, though. 1922-Many major cities now have fingerprint records for known criminals. 1924-J. Edgar Hoover becomes head of the FBI- Makes radical changes in FBI, especially in agent requirements. 1928-Hoover establishes a formal training course for agents. Also prefers agents with accounting or law backgrounds. 1929-Stock market crash brings wave of crime, FDR tries to get more power for the FBI. 1932-First issue ever of Fugitives Wanted By Police published. 1935-The FBI national academy is created, to train police officers in mordern methods of investigation 1936-Public opinion of the FBI has shot up, merely being associated with the FBI makes many proud. 1939-WWII breaks out, making the FBI very important in matters having to do with espionage, subversives, and sabotage 1940-The Smith Act is passed, outlawing the advocation of violent overthrow of the government. 1940-41-The US moves farther and farther away from neutrality, eventually bringing in the draft 1941-Germany betrays Russia and invades, drawing FBI attention to potentially dangerous immigrants in the US -Pearl Harbor is bombed, the US declares war on Japan -Japanese are forced into camps, and the FBI is responsible for prosecuting curfew violations and people avioding going to camps

http://www.fbi.gov/libref/historic/history/origins.htm

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