What was the outcome of Schenck v. US regarding freedom of speech?

The outcome of Schenck v. United States established a critical precedent regarding the limits of freedom of speech, particularly in the context of wartime circumstances. In this case, Charles Schenck was charged with violating the Espionage Act for distributing leaflets that encouraged resistance to the draft during World War I. The Supreme Court, in its decision, articulated the "clear and present danger" test, which determined that speech could be restricted if it posed a significant threat to national security or public order.

This ruling indicated that while the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, there are exceptions when such speech poses a danger to the country, especially during a time of war. Therefore, the court concluded that limitations on speech are permissible when the nation is at risk. This established the understanding that freedom of speech is not absolute and can be curtailed in specific circumstances, thus affirming that speech can indeed be limited during wartime.