Alien and Sedition Acts
The Oxford Companion to American Military History
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2000
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© The Oxford Companion to American Military History 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000. (Hide copyright information)
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Alien and Sedition Acts (1798).In 1798, the Federalist Congress passed four laws to check a perceived French threat during the
Undeclared Naval War with France. The Naturalization Act (18 June) extended required residence from five to fourteen years before an alien could become a citizen. The Alien Friends Act (25 June) allowed the president to deport any alien deemed dangerous to “peace and safety” and the Alien Enemies Act (July 6) allowed the deportation of any alien from a country at war with the United States. The Sedition Act (14 July) rendered it a crime to make statements intended to defame or bring the president, Congress, or government into contempt or disrepute. Those convicted could be fined up to $2,000 and jailed for two years. The Naturalization and Enemies Acts were permanent; the Alien Friends Act would expire in 1800, and the Sedition Act in 1801. Not vigorously enforced, the Alien Acts convinced many aliens to leave the United States.
Ultimately twenty‐one people were indicted for sedition, and eleven were convicted, receiving sentences of up to eighteen months and fines of $1,000 or more. Influential Republican editors and leaders were the main targets, but any criticism was a federal crime. The Federalists argued that by allowing truth as a defense, the Sedition Act advanced civil liberties. Federal judges at sedition cases, however, interpreted the law so as to guarantee convictions: the accused must prove the truth of their opinions.
In November 1798, Vice President
Thomas Jefferson and former congressman
James Madison secretly drafted resolutions adopted by the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures challenging the Alien and Sedition Acts. These resolutions argued that the states had not delegated power to punish libel to the federal government, and that free government rested on the people's free opinions. As president (1801), Jefferson pardoned all convicted under the Sedition Act and helped pay their fines.
[See also
Adams, John;
Civil Liberties and War.]
Bibliography
James Morton Smith , Freedom's Fetters: The Alien and Sedition Laws and American Civil Liberties, 1956.
Robert J. Allison
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Alien and Sedition Acts
Encyclopedia entry from: West's Encyclopedia of American Law
ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS In 1798, the...Congress passed four acts to empower the...expel dangerous aliens from the country...deport resident aliens hailing from...party. Also an act passed by Congress...disrepute. The Alien and Sedition...
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Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798
Book article from: Major Acts of Congress
alien and Sedition acts of 1798 Justin Florence...collectively termed the Alien and Sedition Acts. Alexander...Congress proposed the four Alien and Sedition Acts in June and July of 1798. Three dealt with aliens — immigrants...during a war. The ...
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Alien and Sedition Laws
Dictionary entry from: Dictionary of American History
ALIEN AND SEDITION LAWS ALIEN AND SEDITION LAWS. Designed...four bills known as the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed in the summer...invasion. Skepticism of aliens and of their ability...The Naturalization Act (18 June 1798) lengthened...
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Sedition Acts
Dictionary entry from: Dictionary of American History
SEDITION ACTS SEDITION...complementary alien acts allowed the...second sedition act, passed during...Freedom: The Alien and Sedition Acts. Boston...See also Alien and Sedition Laws ; Enemy Aliens in the World...Pacifism ; Smith Act ...
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Sedition Act Trials
Book article from: American Eras
Sedition Act Trials Political...feelings against, aliens. Alien and Sedition Acts. The Federalists...The Naturalization Act raised the probationary...less appealing. The Alien Enemies Act empowered...imprison, or deport all aliens who were citizens...
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