Alien and Sedition Acts

Definition

The Alien and Sedition Acts were four laws passed by Federalist-dominated Congress in 1798 during John Adams' presidency. These acts increased residency requirements for American citizenship, allowed deportation of foreigners deemed dangerous by federal government, limited freedom of speech & press if they criticized government officials or policies.

Related terms

Federalists: One political faction during early U.S. history that supported a strong central government, commercial economy, and the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Democratic-Republicans: The political faction opposing Federalists. They favored states' rights, agrarian economy, and were against the Alien and Sedition Acts.

John Adams: The second president of the United States (1797–1801) during whose presidency the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed.