i. The Sedition Act was law enacted in 1798 that made it a crime to write or publish “any false, scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States, or either house of the Congress…or the President..with the intent to defame…or bring them, or either of them, into disrepute…or to excite against them, the hatred of the people of the United States.” Violators were subject to imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of up to $2000. ii. Ostensibly, the law was intended to protect against French terrorism that Americans were afraid of spreading to the US during the French Revolution. However, the true reason the law was enacted was for political purposes. The Federalists wanted to remain in power and by enacting