During the First World War, Connecticut was a major manufacturer of materials vital to the war effort. Due to its manufacturing importance, the fear of spies and sabotage were real threats and had to be addressed by police makers. During the war years, while industrial sabotage was a real threat, the view of sabotage was expanded to include war dissenters and anyone or anything that can harm the war effort. The citizens of Connecticut were rallied to be part of tht effort. While not engaged in actual combat, they became the eyes and ears of the govenment. A Connecticut Council of Defense was established to orchestrate the hunt for spies and saboteurs. Extreme nationalism and suspicion of neighbors became the driving force and justification in Connecticut’s attempts at counter-espionage.