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Definition: Alien and Sedition Acts from Philip's Encyclopedia

(1798) Four US acts designed to curb criticism of the government at a time when war with France seemed imminent. Many of the severest critics were refugees from Europe who were regarded as disloyal. The acts imposed stringent rules on residency before naturalization, and gave the president unprecedented powers to deport undesirable foreigners or imprison them in time of war.

ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS

From Encyclopedia of U.S. Political History
1798 The Alien and Sedition acts, passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress with a modicum of Democratic-Republican support in the summer of 1798, were a compilation of four laws: the Naturalization Act of 1798, the Alien Act, the Alien Enemies Act, and the Sedition Act. Although the acts were used by Federalists to suppress their political opposition, the Democratic-Republican Party, this was not the sole intent of the legislation. More than the product of Federalist revenge against their Jeffersonian opponents, these measures were born from fear for the survival of the republic. The Quasi-War with France When, during the revival of Anglo-French hostilities, the Senate ratified the Jay Treaty with Great Britain in 1796 (providing a preferential arrangement with the British), the French began attacking American commercial shipping on the high seas in an engagement known as the Quasi-War. By 1798, French warships had captured more than three hundred American vessels. In the spring…
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Full text Article ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS

From The Reader's Companion to American History
The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by Congress in 1798 in preparation for an anticipated war with France. Interpreting the prominent participation of immigrants in the Republican opposition party as evidence of a relationship between foreigners and disloyalty, Federalists championed tighter…
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Full text Article Alien and Sedition Acts

From The Great American History Fact-Finder
A series of four laws passed by a Federalist -controlled Congress in anticipation of war with France during the administration of John Adams . Designed to restrict the pro-French and antiwar activities of the Jeffersonian Republicans, three of the laws dealt with aliens (foreigners) and one with…
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Full text Article Alien and Sedition Acts

From Encyclopedia of North American Immigration
One of the earliest pieces of immigration...
1798 The Alien and Sedition Acts is the collective name given to four laws enacted by the U.S. Congress in the midst of its undeclared naval war with France known as the Quasi War. The laws were ostensibly a reaction to French diplomacy and depredations on the high seas but were mainly aimed at…
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Passed by the Federalist-dominated Fifth Congress in June and July 1798 and signed into law by President John Adams (1735–1826), the Alien and Sedition Acts were four separate bills ostensibly introduced in the interests of national security but politically aimed at stifling Democratic-Republican…
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1798 In 1798 four federal laws restricting U.S. citizenship and severely curtailing the freedoms of speech, press, and assembly were adopted by a Federalist Party–dominated Congress and signed by President John Adams. Sparked by mounting tensions between the United States and its former ally, …
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Full text Article Alien and Sedition Acts

From Encyclopedia of the American Presidency
One of the earliest pieces of immigration...
The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by Congress in the summer of 1798. They were intended to suppress domestic opposition to the John Adams administration, while preparing the country for hostilities with France. Continuing conflicts between France and Britain made American neutrality difficult. …
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Full text Article Alien and Sedition Acts

From Encyclopedia of American Political Parties and Elections
1798 The Alien and Sedition Acts are four controversial laws passed in 1798 by the Federalists, who had controlled both Congress and the White House since the ratification of the Constitution. This legislation was introduced in response to the threat of war with France and was designed to undermine…
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Full text Article Alien and Sedition Acts

From Milestone Documents in American History: Exploring the Primary Sources That Shaped America
The Act Concerning Aliens (National Archives and...
Author U.S. Congress Date 1798 Type Legislative Significance Reflected Federalist fears of domestic subversion and revolution and the widespread Federalist view that their political opponents were disloyal, raising important issues of civil liberty Overview The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798…
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Full text Article Alien and Sedition Acts

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
1798, four laws enacted by the Federalist-controlled U.S. Congress, allegedly in response to the hostile actions of the French Revolutionary government on the seas and in the councils of diplomacy (see XYZ Affair ), but actually designed to destroy Thomas Jefferson's Republican party, which had…
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Full text Article Alien and Sedition Acts

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Four laws passed by the U.S. Congress in 1798, in anticipation of war with France. The acts, precipitated by the XYZ Affair , restricted aliens and curtailed press criticism of the government. Aimed at French and Irish immigrants (who were mostly pro-France), they increased the waiting period for…
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