51. Events surrounding the XYZ Affair: In the wake of the French Revolution, relations between the new French Republic and the United States become ever more strained. Three French agents, publicly referred to as X, Y, and Z demanded major concessions from the United States as a condition for continuing bilateral diplomatic relations. 52.
The Alien act and Sedition Act were two major laws passed by the Federalist Congress in 1798. Both of them caused major social and rights conflicts within the colonies by jailing people who protested the government, deporting innocent immigrants and having no freedom of the press. The Alien act of 1798 allowed immigrants living in the US to be arrested or deported without trial if they were assumed to be dangerous, or in other words, pro french. It also affected the immigrants right to vote. Previously, Individuals were required to live in the US for at least five years before voting, now they had to live in the US for at least 14 years.
The United States of America took a risk when they passed the 4 bills on the Alien and Sedition acts of 1798. During 1798, the United States of America was on the verge of declaring war against France. Taking the ideas and giving the bills to John Adams to pass them, the Federalist-controlled congress wanted to strengthen national security during undeclared war. The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed to get ready for anticipated war. The government limited the freedom of speech citizens had and tightened restrictions on foreign-born Americans.
Native Americans who emigrated from Europe perceived the Indians as a friendly society with whom they dwelt with in harmony. While Native Americans were largely intensive agriculturalists and entrepreneurial in nature, the Indians were hunters and gatherers who earned a livelihood predominantly as nomads. By the 19th century, irrefutable territories i.e. the areas around River Mississippi were under exclusive occupation by the Indians. At the time, different Indian tribes such as the Chickasaws, Creeks, and Cherokees had adapted a sedentary lifestyle and practiced small-scale agriculture. According to the proponents of removal, the Indians were to move westwards into forested lands in order to generate additional space for development through agricultural production (Memorial of the Cherokee Indians).
The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 passed by the Federalist majority were fervently opposed by the
This event aligns with the creation of The Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act made in 1918. The purpose of these laws was to forbid "spying and interfering with the draft but also "false statements" that might impede military success", as well as any ' 'statements intended to cast "contempt, scorn or disrepute" on the "form of government" or that advocated interference with the war effort" (Voices of Freedom 119). As a result, American citizens expressing their disapproval in any form regarding the war would be arrested and punished by these
In John Ferling’s book, Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, the author focused on both the political and personal lives of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. In addition to that, the book featured the friendship that formed between them, as well as how they eventually became political enemies. What made this book so impressive, was the amount of sources and records used by the author to create a mental picture of what life was like during their time, and how the series of events that took place, would change the course of American history forever. What was even more interesting to see was the different paths that both Adams and Jefferson took, as well as their different beliefs in what a true government should be for the newly
In conclusion both the Federalist and the Democratic Republicans had strong options about the Alien and Sedition Acts, most of which were different in relation to what was constitutionally right or wrong. John Adams truly tried to do something proper regarding the acts but it sadly backfired when he discovered the citizens of the United States enjoyed their personal freedom. Although I would have managed the Sedition Acts differently I believe this event contributed greatly into the shaping of our government since it was still pretty clear that our Founding Fathers had no idea how to run a nation. This event only lead to the discovery of political parties and the truth about personal opinions regarding the community members of this society.
The Alien and sedition act was four bills that the Federalist passed in 1798 in preparation for an expected war with France. The four bills were: Alien Enemies Act, Alien Friends Act, Naturalization Act, Sedition Act. The Alien Enemies act stated that any citizen from foreign country that posed a threat to national security, if found guilty will be deported or detained. The Alien Friends allowed the president to deport any citizen of any foreign nation who he decided posed a threat to the nation while inside its borders. The law allowed the president to expel citizens without proof of guilt.
While the supporters of Thomas Jefferson believe that buying foreign land was necessary, those who are against him feel that what he did was unconstitutional. In the source, “Thomas Jefferson to John Breckinridge, 12 August 1803”, the text explains that what Jefferson did was allowed, as it had not mentioned that he couldn’t in the constitution. This controversy is huge, because some people believe that he did not have the right to do so. Jefferson made a point that it wasn’t mentioned in the constitution, so he decided to ratify it and pay for it. Some believe congress did not have the right to authorize this decision.
In the summer of 1798, Congress decided to pass the Alien and Sedition Acts, which were four bills that limited the rights of foreigners who lived in the United States. The first act declared that the president could deport, or hold captive, those living in the United States if the states were at war with the home country of the immigrant; this was known as the Alien Enemies Law. This takes away the person's right to freedom because they were judged on the state of their country. Much like the first act, the second act allowed the president to “expel” an immigrant, however Congress limited this expulsion to two years maximum; this act was beyond unfair to the people who could be deported because it did not give them the right to defend themselves
Congress during John Adams term in office showed political divide by creating four debatable laws known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. They argued that these laws were needed to protect the country from troublemakers like Citizen Genet. Three of the four laws were directed to aliens which are noncitizens. The first law showed he time it took to become an American citizen that has the right to vote. . It takes around five to twelve years.
President Jefferson is currently making attempts to solve the problem. His goal is to avoid any way with Britain and France. Seven months ago, Jefferson announced the Embargo Act. From then on, all trade with foreign countries is banned. No ships will leave or have left American waters.
The American people of today have had it instilled into their minds that they possess certain unalienable rights. Citizens are educated that they have an ability to express their thoughts regarding the world around them, whether or not these thoughts adhere to the beliefs of others, and they are able to attempt and play a part in repairing and amending any aspect of their nation they may consider problematic. Every person within the United States, whether they are native or foreign, is encouraged to take advantage of their rights and abilities in an attempt to better their society. Yet, in 1798, the Alien and Sedition Acts emerged, and were encouraged largely by the Federalist Party in an attempt to squander the desires of people who opposed
The South Carolina Exposition and Protest was an essay written by John C. Calhoun in disapproval of the” Tariff of Abominations.” He argued that the tariff was unfair and unconstitutional, and that people of a state had the right to reject a law of Congress if it violated the Constitution . The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were resolutions drawn up by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts. The resolution declared that it was the right of the states and not the federal government to decide a law of Congress as unconstitutional.
