Secrets protection and counteracting espionage in the United States between beginning of the war for independence and the end of WW I (1774-1918)

Abstract

The article analyses historical aspects of classified information protection and measures to counteract espionage in the USA during the period between its founding and the end of World War I. The analysis partially relies on US laws and regulations of that period. To draw special attention to the legal acts of the US Army and Navy on protection military secrets, acts of Congress on prevent on espionage and the formation of counterintelligence support during the World War І. The publication deals with stamps restricting access to information used in the United States in the mentioned period, analyzing measures of responsibility for violation of legislation on protection of secret information and penalties for espionage activities. The aim of the publication is to study the historical experience of the United States in the protection of state secrets and counteracting espionage as the ally of Ukraine in confronting Russian aggression.