Adams and the Alien and Sedition Acts
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Alien and Sedition Acts
The Constitution gives the President with responsibility for foreign policy John Adams was a capable foreign policy president.
Question: What 3 issues were presented in the section entitled Foreign Policy Roles of the President and Congress Introduction in the above link?
As a result of Thomas Jefferson's pro-French presidency, there were many negative attitudes toward the French, especially among John Adams' Federalist party. Seizing upon an an opportunity to deal a blow to Jefferson's the pro-French Party of Thomas, the Federalist-dominated Congress drafted and passed the Alien and Sedition Acts in1798. Many felt the acts unconstitutional.
Adams signed the legislation into law. These acts were made up of four pieces of legislation that became a domestic issue during the Adams presidency.
http://millercenter.org/president/adams/essays/biography/print
Question: What 3 issues were presented in the section entitled Foreign Policy Roles of the President and Congress Introduction in the above link?
As a result of Thomas Jefferson's pro-French presidency, there were many negative attitudes toward the French, especially among John Adams' Federalist party. Seizing upon an an opportunity to deal a blow to Jefferson's the pro-French Party of Thomas, the Federalist-dominated Congress drafted and passed the Alien and Sedition Acts in1798. Many felt the acts unconstitutional.
Adams signed the legislation into law. These acts were made up of four pieces of legislation that became a domestic issue during the Adams presidency.
http://millercenter.org/president/adams/essays/biography/print
The Alien Act, allowed for the detention of enemy aliens in time of war without trial or counsel.
The Alien Enemies Act empowered the President to deport aliens whom he deemed dangerous to the nation's security. The Sedition Act, outlawed conspiracy to prevent the enforcement of federal laws and punished subversive speech—with fines and imprisonment. |
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- Why was the Sedition Act passed? Do you think it was constitutional? Explain.
- How did the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans differ regarding criticism of the government and freedom of speech and the press?
- How should the federal government balance national security concerns and personal freedoms in times of international crisis?