Alien and Sedition Acts

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Acts, Bills, and Laws, 1798

In 1798, the Federalist-controlled Congress passed a series of laws which, on the surface, were designed to control the activities of foreigners in the United States during a time of impending war. Beneath the surface, however, the real intent of these laws was to destroy Jeffersonian Republicanism. The laws, known collectively as the "Alien and Sedition Acts," included:

Sedition campaign poster, 1800

The Alien Acts were never enforced, but the Sedition Act was. A number of Republican newspaper publishers were convicted under the terms of this law. The Jeffersonians argued quite rightly that the Sedition Act violated the terms of the First Amendment and offered a remedy in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.

While these laws were either repealed or allowed to expire in the next administration, they were significant as rallying points for the Jeffersonians. The heavy-handed Federalist policies worked to the advantage of the Republicans as they prepared for the Election of 1800.

Off-site search results for "Alien and Sedition Acts"...

Alien and Sedition Act
... HistoryShopping.com   '); '); ');   Alien and Sedition Act An Act respecting Alien Enemies. July 6, 1798 SECTION I. Be it enacted . . ., That whenever there shall be a declared war between the United States and anyAlien and Sedition Act An Act respecting Alien Enemies. July 6, 1798 SECTION I. Be it enacted . . ., That whenever there shall be a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or ...
http://www.historycentral.com/documents/AlienSedition.html

Alien and Sedition Acts: Order Versus Liberty
... Magazine Alien and Sedition Acts: Order Versus Liberty When Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798, it opened a heated debate about the limits of freedom in a free society. By Larry Gragg On July 4, 1798, Alien and Sedition Acts: Order Versus Liberty When Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798, it opened a heated debate about the limits of freedom in a free society. By Larry Gragg On July 4, 1798, Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798, it opened a heated debate about the limits of freedom in a free society. By Larry Gragg On July 4, 1798, the citizens of the ...
http://www.historynet.com/ah/blorderverusliberty

MILESTONE HISTORIC DOCUMENTS - THE ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS OF 1798
Indeed, public opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts was so great that they were in part responsible for the election of Thomas Jefferson, a Republican, to the presidency in 1800. Once in office, Jefferson pardoned all thAlien and Sedition Acts was so great that they were in part responsible for the election of Thomas Jefferson, a Republican, to the presidency in 1800. Once in office, Jefferson pardoned all those convicted under ...
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/sedition/