Alien and Sedition Acts
Text from Document
• “If any persons shall unlawfully combine or
conspire together, with intent to oppose any
measure or measures of the government of
the United States,… he or they shall be
deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor.”
Main Idea
• Due to threat of war with France, John Adams
passed 4 laws collectively known as the Alien
and Sedition Acts to quell political opposition
from Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson.
Inferences
• Many Americans questioned the constitutionality
of these laws.
• 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 those
convicted under the Sedition Act, while
Congress restored all fines paid with interest.
Point of View of Bias
• Jefferson and Adams were bitter enemies and
Adams, who approved the amendment,
wanted to destroy Thomas Jefferson's
Republican Party which supported the French
Revolutionaries.