Portal:Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition Acts consist of four laws passed in 1798 by the Federalists in the United States Congress during the Quasi-War with France. They sparked outcry from the opposition Democratic-Republicans, who viewed them as an unconstitutional consolidation of power by the federal government, and two states issued resolutions against them—Virginia in 1798, and Kentucky in both 1798 and 1799.
The acts were defended in the answer of Massachusetts to the Virginia Resolutions.
The Acts
[edit]- Chapter 54, June 18, 1798: An Act to Establish a Uniform Rule of Naturalization ("Naturalization Act")
- Chapter 58, June 25, 1798: An Act concerning Aliens ("Alien Friends Act")
- Chapter 66, July 6, 1798: An Act Respecting Alien Enemies ("Alien Enemies Act")
- Chapter 74, July 14, 1798: An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes against the United States ("Sedition Act")
Defense of the Acts
[edit]Reference texts
[edit]- "Alien and Sedition Acts," in The Encyclopedia Americana, New York: The Encyclopedia Americana Corporation (1920)