Abstract
The United States used the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Foreign Agents Registration Act to require those mailing propaganda to the United States to register with the government, a requirement that offended the Soviet Union even after 1941 when the USSR changed from supporting to opposing Cermany. Empowered to evaluate, stop and burn incoming materials, the Post Office played an active role under direction of Postmaster General Frank Walker. Soviet materials did not fare well throughout the war. In all, the Post Office was responsible for burning an estimated 50 tons of materials, despite the concerns of some who argued that “book burning” was alien to United States tradition.
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