What statement best summarizes the evolution of free speech in the US during the 20th century?

The evolution of free speech in the U.S. during the 20th century was marked by significant legal milestones that expanded and clarified its protections, particularly through landmark Supreme Court decisions. Initially constrained by laws like the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918, the understanding of free speech gradually evolved to prioritize individual rights, especially during the Civil Rights Movement and the counterculture of the 1960s. The Court increasingly recognized the importance of free expression, leading to broader protections for political speech and a more nuanced understanding of what constitutes harmful speech. By the century's end, the legal landscape reflected a strong commitment to free speech as a foundational democratic principle, albeit with ongoing debates about its limits.