The Espionage Act (1917) and the Sedition Act (1918) : a. drew mostly from similar language in state law.

b. copied similar legislation from Germany, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire.

c. came after strong public calls for a more "defensible democracy."

d. were put on the books but never applied.

e. were the first federal restrictions on free speech since 1798.

E.

Explanation:

The Espionage Act was formulated by President Woodrow Wilson on June 15, 1917. The Espionage Act was enacted by the Government prohibiting the publication of any expressions or opinions that speak against the U. S. Military. The law was formulated during World War 1 when the U. S. was in war against Germany. At this time, publishing any statements against the U. S. military was prohibited.

After one year of passing the law of Espionage, the U. S. government formulated another act named the Sedition Act. The act was passed on May 16, 1918, passed by President Woodrow Wilson. According to this law, any person who will speak disloyal, profane, and abusive words against the U. S. government, Constitution, flag or military would be found guilty and would be imposed with a fine of up to $10,000 and 20 years imprisonment.

These two laws were the first federal law in the U. S. Constitution that prohibited free speech since 1798.

So, the correct answer is option E.