Download Goal 1.01: The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

Goal 1.01: The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
(Background)
The election of 1796 was the first election in which two political parties took part. The Federalist Party was opposed by the
newly formed Democratic-Republican Party. The Democratic-Republican Party drew much of its support from new citizens. Two years
later, apparently in response to serious foreign problems, Congress passed four acts- the Alien Act, the Alien Enemies Act, the Sedition
Act, and the Naturalization Act- which came to be known collectively as the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Alien Act gave the president
power to deport any foreigner he regarded as dangerous “to the peace and safety of the United States.” The Alien Enemies Act gave
the president broad powers to deal with enemy aliens during time of war. The Sedition Act made it a crime to publish anything false or
scandalous about the government. Here is an excerpt from the Naturalization Act, which raised the residence requirement for
citizenship from five years to fourteen:
(Excerpt)
“Be it enacted… That no alien shall be admitted to become a citizen of the United States, or of any state, unless… he shall
have declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States, five years, at least, before his admission, and shall… prove, …
that he has resided within the United States fourteen years, at least…” [The Naturalization Act, June 18, 1798]
Questions for Understanding:
1. What do you think the government gave as the reason for this act? Why?
2. If you had been a recent immigrant to this country in 1798, how would you have reacted to this act If you had already been
a U.S. citizen?
3. Based on your knowledge of the period, what do you think were the short-term effects of the Alien and Sedition Acts? The
long-term effects?
4. It has been said that, in times of national crisis or war, governments tend to suspend personal liberties. Can you think of
any events in our country in this century that fit that description?
Goal 1.01: The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
(Background)
The election of 1796 was the first election in which two political parties took part. The Federalist Party was opposed by the
newly formed Democratic-Republican Party. The Democratic-Republican Party drew much of its support from new citizens. Two years
later, apparently in response to serious foreign problems, Congress passed four acts- the Alien Act, the Alien Enemies Act, the Sedition
Act, and the Naturalization Act- which came to be known collectively as the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Alien Act gave the president
power to deport any foreigner he regarded as dangerous “to the peace and safety of the United States.” The Alien Enemies Act gave
the president broad powers to deal with enemy aliens during time of war. The Sedition Act made it a crime to publish anything false or
scandalous about the government. Here is an excerpt from the Naturalization Act, which raised the residence requirement for
citizenship from five years to fourteen:
(Excerpt)
“Be it enacted… That no alien shall be admitted to become a citizen of the United States, or of any state, unless… he shall
have declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States, five years, at least, before his admission, and shall… prove, …
that he has resided within the United States fourteen years, at least…” [The Naturalization Act, June 18, 1798]
Questions for Understanding:
1. What do you think the government gave as the reason for this act? Why?
2. If you had been a recent immigrant to this country in 1798, how would you have reacted to this act? If you had already
been a U.S. citizen?
3. Based on your knowledge of the period, what do you think were the short-term effects of the Alien and Sedition Acts? The
long-term effects?
4. It has been said that, in times of national crisis or war, governments tend to suspend personal liberties. Can you think of
any events in our country in this century that fit that description?