The espionage act of 1917 and the sedition act of 1918 showed that americans a) were fearful of the french presence in the country. b) were fearful of possible german activity in the u. s. c) were targeting minorities as scapegoats for causing the war. d) were fearful of communist influences in the federal government. nevermind guys. got it like half an hour ago.

Ah, well, glad you figured out the answer to your own question!

At the beginning of World War 1, there was all sorts of fear and suspicion in the United States about Germans, who were seen as aggressors in the war. So the best answer to choose would be B, that there was fear of possible German activity in the US or at least sedition against the United States' participation in the war when the US became directly involved.  

By the end of World War I, the Russian Revolution had happened (in 1917).  Then the acts remained in force due to some amount of "red scare" (against communism) going on in the country at that time.  The Sedition Act was repealed in 1921.  Major portions of the Espionage Act remain as part of US law today.

It has the potential to lead to limits on rights by giving flexibility in making laws.