The Alien and Sedition Acts

What does Sedition mean?

Any action, especially in speech or writing, promoting such discontent or rebellion.

Who signed this law?

They were signed into law by President John Adams.

What was the Alien and Sedition acts?

They were four bills that the Federalist passed in 1798 in preparation for an anticipated war with France.

What happened to the Alien and Sedition Acts?

The Alien Act was repealed. The Sedition Act expired.

What was the Alien Enemies Act?

The Alien Enemies act stated that any citizen from a country we were at war with and posed a threat to national security, if found guilty will be deported or detained.

What was the Alien Friends Act?

The Alien Friends allowed the president to deport any citizen of any foreign nation who he decided posed a threat to the nation while inside our borders. The law allowed the president to expel citizens without proof of guilt.

The Alien Friend Act violates which amendment?

The Fifth and Sixth Amendment, right to an attorney and due process.

The Sedition Act violates which amendment?

The First Amendment, freedom of speech and press.

What was the Naturalization Act?

The Naturalization act made it harder for immigrants to become citizens. It went from 5 years to 14 years until you could try to be a citizen.

What was the Sedition Act?

The Sedition Act made it illegal to speak, write, or print any statement about the president or congress which brought them, in the wording of the act, "into contempt or disrepute."

Which law was the greatest threat to U.S. freedom?

The Sedition Act was by far the most offensive of the four acts to American freedom.

What were the bills called?

The four bills were: Alien Enemies Act, Alien Friends Act, Naturalization Act, Sedition Act.