The Aspects Of The Alien And Sedition Act

Government censorship continued with the passing of the Espionage Act in 1917 and the Sedition Amendment in 1918. The Espionage Act and Sedition Amendment condemned any antiwar activity or desecrating of the government, Constitution, flag, or military. The American public could not have an opinion, unless that opinion supported the war and government. Even Wilson stated, "Woe be to the man or group of men that seeks to stand in our way." Government censorship and “unpatriotic acts”, as deemed by the Espionage Act and Sedition Amendment, gave birth to a suspicious nation.

While, reading the case, Elonis v. United States, I was astonished to see that someone would post something so explicit, offensive, and inhumane. Basically, the case of Elonis v. United States is about a man named Anthony Elonis who is an upcoming rapper and used his stage name, Tone Dougie. His Facebook page consisted of him posting disturbing rap lyrics. Even though Elonis was going through a divorce with his former wife, which did not stop him from writing and posting crude lyrics. Eventually, it got to the point where his wife felt that she was being targeted by his lyrics. According to an article on, New York Times, Elonis wrote that he wanted to see a Halloween costume that included his wife’s “head” on a stick. Obviously, she felt threatened and reported the assaults to the police. Anthony Elonis was convicted for posting threats that targeted his wife, his coworkers, police officers, a kindergarten class, and even an FBI agent. Although Elonis argued that his posting are not considered to be a “true threat” and that he is protected under the First Amendment. I believe he wanted to cause fear towards his wife, Tara and therefore, is his lyrics are a true threat. Basically, a true threat is defined as something a person would consider to be “purposely” harmful and cause pain. Elonis mentioned that his post were not offended nor were the threatening anybody. He stated that he did not have the intent of trying to harm anyone, he was just trying

George Washington was unanimously elected as the first President of United States of America in 1789 and again in 1792. No political parties existed in America during that time. Founding Fathers including George Washington believed that political parties would be harmful for the young America. They envisioned the politics in the young nation to be cooperative and not competitive. By the end of the eighteenth century, however, political parties had become a reality in the form of Federalist Party and Democratic - Republican Party. The two parties differed in a variety of ways but they especially differed in terms of their foreign relations with European powers. Federalists led by Alexander Hamilton wanted to create a stable economy built on trade favoring the wealthy business owners. Democratic Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson, on the other hand, had the interests of poor farmers, and immigrants in their mind. Federalists supported the British against the radical French whereas Republicans preferred to maintain friendly relations with the democratic French against the British. Earlier, in 1794, President George Washington had angered the French leaders when he signed the Jay Treaty with Great Britain in 1794 settling the differences between the two countries. John Adams, a federalist, was elected the second President of the United States of America in 1797. After taking over as President, he sent American envoys to

Signed into law by President John Adams in 1798, the Alien and Sedition Acts consisted of four laws passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress as America prepared for war with France. These acts increased the residency requirement for American citizenship from five to fourteen years, authorized the president to imprison or deport aliens considered "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States" and restricted speech critical of the government. These laws were designed to silence and weaken the Democratic-Republican Party. Negative reaction to the Alien and Sedition Acts helped contribute to the Democratic-Republican victory in the 1800 elections. Congress repealed the Naturalization Act in 1802, while the other acts were allowed to expire.

On July 14, 1798, John Adams, putting them into effect, signed The Alien and Sedition

The Alien and Sedition Acts were laws passed by the 5th Congress in 1798 in preparation for an undeclared naval war with France, later known to be the Quasi-War. The Acts passed, signed by then-President John Adams, aimed to limit the power of the opposition Democratic-Republican Party, who was at the time supportive of the French and to create a barrier against aliens and immigrants who were feared to sympathize with the French. Brought upon to restrict the public activities of political radicals who had sympathized with the French Revolution, as well as those who challenged Adams’ Federalist policies, The Alien and Sedition Acts were created not for the intention to promote national security but rather to uphold the image of power created by the Federalists in hopes of suppressing the views of opposing parties.

Why did the Federalists believe that the Sedition Act was necessary?  What exactly was the threat, according to Abigail Adams? What threat is implied by the wording of the act?

The Alien Act allowed the president to remove anyone he thought to be dangerous or harmful to the country’s well being from the country. The Sedition Act banned all criticizing of the United States government in any way shape or form. Both acts violate the constitution in multiple ways. The Alien and Sedition Acts were created to filter and clean out the “bad” people from the young and growing country, and to keep the government clean. Innocent people were being removed from the country because he or she was thought to be dangerous. Only one side of the government was being seen. There was no contrast or comparison in our government of the people. When people started to realize that these acts were unconstitutional they began to rebel to protect themselves.

The Americans have known the "Bribery" that the XYZ agents have brought, and they reacted to the XYZ with a shock and anger. Realized that President Adams was too weak politically and could not suited for the President job; The Republican newspaper heaped abuse on Adams as " a person without patriotism, without philosophy, and a mock monarch". With the temper so dangerously high and fears that political dissent was perhaps akin to treason, the Federalist leader moved to muffle the opposition. In mid 1798, Congress hammered out the Sedition Act; the Sedition Act made conspiracy and revolt are illegal, however, the Sedition Act also prohibited the right to speak or writing anything that defamed the president or Congress which is considered the citizen as

These Acts consisted of four laws that started in 1798 to reduce the political power of immigrants to the U.S. Citizenship took 14 years instead of 5 years. The Alien Act allowed the President to force non-Americans who might be dangerous to leave the country. The Alien Deportation Act allowed for the arrest and deportation of any non-American during wartime. The Sedition Act made writing lies a crime. This act was unconstitutional because it violated the freedom of speech policy. When you violate something that you created, then you are not promoting general welfare. How can someone be following a constitutional act correctly , and be arrested. The U.S. should be ashamed that they broke a constitutional law to try to reduce political power that definitely isn't working for the best interest of everybody in the U.S. This goal is not being met. Although the people or government think they might be doing something good, they tend to hurt people such as slaves, Native Americans, children or even the

In the early/late 1790’s a problem occurred within the U.S. The problem was the federalist government and John Adams. The federalist Gov. did not want any protesting against the government, no immigrants allowed, no freedoms of the press, and lawmakers being jailed. This was in response to the french foreign threat also because of heavy domestic protest. The Alien and Sedition acts were signed by federalist congress and made law by president adams. This made it easier for the Gov. to deport foreigners. It also made it more of a problem for new immigrants to vote. A new immigrant had to be in the U.S. for 14 years before they are able to vote.

The Sedition Act was approved by Congress on July 14, 1798. It differed from the Alien Act; the Alien Act affected all United States citizens and not only the aliens. The Alien Act was also clearer that if a person is being convicted of any crime against the United States. Furthermore, the Sedition Act was designed to protect the Federalist and the President from “false” and “malicious” statements with the power of speaking. It didn’t protect the Vice President Thomas Jefferson or the Republicans. The act stated in Section 1 of the Sedition Act, “to impede the operation of any law of the United States, or to intimidate or prevent any person holding a place or office in or under the government of the United States, from undertaking, performing or executing his trust or duty, and if any person or persons, with intent as aforesaid, shall counsel, advise or attempt to procure any insurrection, riot, unlawful assembly, or combination, whether such conspiracy, threatening, counsel, advice, or attempt shall have

As World War I was heading towards its end Russia was focusing on internal issues. Led by Vladimir Lenin the Bolsheviks embarked on a campaign against the war. Using propaganda which focused on trying to turn the allied troops against their officers Lenin looked to inspire a socialist revolution. The Bolsheviks were also fueled by the poor conditions of the Russian Army. Nicholas II, in a letter to his wife Alexandra, admitted the obstacles that the Russian Army faced, "Again that cursed question of shortage of artillery and rifle ammunition - it stands in the way of an energetic advance." Czar Nicholas tried to deny the fact that his Army was in no condition to continue the fight. Lenin and the Bolsheviks used this information to gain

Immigration to the United States has become a significant public and political debate, questions primarily surrounding inflow, roles in the labor market, admission policies, benefits, and costs. In 1952, Congress proposed and passed the Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as the McCarran-Walter Act, to revise the laws relating to immigration, naturalization, and nationality.

Government censorship continued with the passing of the Espionage Act in 1917 and the Sedition Amendment in 1918. The Espionage Act and Sedition Amendment condemned any antiwar activity or desecrating of the government, Constitution, flag, or military. The American public were almost at a point where they could not have an opinion, unless in support of the war and government. Even Wilson stated, "Woe be to the man or group of men that seeks to stand in our way." These acts of censorship gave birth to a suspicious nation.