Quasi War Analysis

During times of conflict, the American government often sets limitations on civil liberties. For example, President Abraham Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War. Recently, after the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, the government has been attempting to strengthen its control on the growing terrorism threat by increasing surveillance on the American people. Some people do not see this increase in security as a violation of their civil liberties. However, these restrictions infringe on rights specifically included in the Constitution and therefore are not admissible in relation to the “war on terror”. Many other periods of conflict demonstrate that restrictions on civil liberties hurt the people and the

The Quasi War was an undeclared war between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800. Tensions between the U.S. and France began when the U.S. signed the Jay Treaty with Great Britain and refused to give the French Republic financial aid after the French Revolution. President Adams attempted to ease these tensions by sending American officials to negotiate an agreement with France. When the officials arrived, they were met by three French agents who demanded a bribe. This was known as the XYZ Affair. It severely increased anti-French sentiments and led to the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts. These acts made it easier to deport foreigners and prohibited anyone from speaking out against the government. As a newly freed nation, the government was vulnerable and felt that the only way to protect itself on the home front was to limit the rights of the people. Therefore, these acts evidently violate the right to free speech and the right to petition. Because of the nation’s fear and insecurity, the civil liberties of the American people were sullied during the Quasi