In 1798 the threat of war with France loomed on the minds of the American public as a result of the XYZ Affair and after a full account of the rude way the commissioners that President Adams had sent to France had been treated and how the French foreign minister basically tried to blackmail America. The Federalists became more popular because they had warned Congress about France. Congress strengthened our Navy and by fall of that same year, our navy was waging a Quasi-War against France in the Caribbean (Goldfield 170). Federalists in Congress also voted to upgrade and increase our army. In the summer of 1798 the Federalist passed four laws that together are referred to as the Alien and Sedition Acts. This passage scared Republicans because …show more content…
This could be done during war or peace time. The Sedition Act severely restricted freedom of speech and of the press. People who printed or helped print or disseminate written material against the government, congress or the president could be prosecuted. People who spoke against these entities could also be prosecuted even if it was just their opinion. Madison realized that freedom-loving people can easily be persuaded to voluntarily part with liberties they would otherwise consider indispensable when they feared foreign attacks or war (Watkins). According to William Watkins, Jr. of The Independent Institute, “This legislation made a mockery of the First Amendment and deprived aliens of basic due process of …show more content…
When the United States in involved in a war, I think we should back our country and especially our citizens that are in the military as a result of the willing to stand up as commanded and be in harms way for our country and because of the war. Even though I may not agree with Americans publicly opposing a war, they have the right to do it and I owe them the courtesy and respect afforded them in the Constitution as free speech and if their “free speech” transcends into a crime then there are other laws to deal with them appropriately. Actions sanctioned by the Alien and Sedition Acts such as restriction of freedom of speech and the press, do not make the United States safer, but do harm the basic tenets of our Constitution. Other laws are in place to prosecute people who cross the threshold into treason and similar crimes under the guise of free