The Pros And Cons Of The Sedition Act

Since the Revolution Jefferson and Adams parted ways and became enemies. When Jefferson was President he sent a letter to Abigail Adams in which he forgave Adams for what he had done. Abigail was angered by this and the two sent each other letters back about why the other was wrong. Adams had his own thing going on during this time. He was angry that everyone else was getting more credit than they deserved.

1. Samuel Adams established a committee of correspondence and formed a communication network between Massachusetts towns that stressed colonial rights. The burning of the Gaspée roused other states such as Virginia, Connecticut, South Carolina, and New Hampshire to set up their own committees of correspondence that would communicate with other colonies. 2. The committees sprang into action after the passage of the Tea Act, which relieved the British East India Company of paying taxes on tea it imported to Britain or exported to the colonies.

This piece of writing wasn’t meant to incriminate the British, and the subject was not about the newly passed act. Instead, this article “discussed British law and how certain liberties and freedom Americans enjoyed was God-given and earned by many generations of Americans.” Adams believed that this act was unconstitutional but had to remain cautious

Congress’s power to limit freedom of speech in any way is not included in the enumerated powers listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution (20-21). The states, if anyone, are the only governments that might posses the power to limit free speech (21). Government officials, however, obviously have no regard for the Constitution or freedom of speech and are acting upon their own desires and values (21). Many examples of freedom of speech infringement are given throughout this book, and the author shows how these kinds of laws are enacted throughout history.

Essay #2 The first amendment and the sedition act of 1798 heavily contradicted each other. In the Majority Report of the 5th Congress on the Sedition Act of 1798 state that this act is unconstitutional and abridges on the liberty of free press. It makes any attempt at publications of press regarding congress punishable by a five thousand dollar fine and/or five years imprisonment. It also stated that no evidence can be used in the defense of the said guilty individual.

There were many acts and laws that angered the people. When a lot of these laws and acts came out, the people reacted with violence. They reminded them of the British government, with unfair laws. Two of the acts were the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Alien Acts say that the President of the Untied Sates can declare that people who are from other countries that we are at war with can be jailed or kicked out of the country.

Simply put, these acts outlawed freedom of speech. Adams effectively propelled America backwards to the days of British subjugation when John Peter Zenger was put on trial for speaking ill of the British government. Adams’s desire to quell

The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed in 1798 in preparation for an anticipated war with France. It interpreted the participation of immigrants in the Republican opposition party for evidence between foreigners and disloyalty. As an immigrant I really don’t think it should be so harsh on us foreigners trying to help our government. Since immigrants were trying to get in the republican party, Federalists made harder and tighter restrictions for us immigrants and all the critics also. The Naturalization Act was also passed in 1798 which increased residency on requirement of American citizens.

The Alien and Sedition Acts were a series of laws that were passed in 1798 by the Federalist Congress and then were signed into law by President John Adams. These laws made it harder for immigrants to vote and also included powers that were new to deport foreigners. Before this law was passed, an immigrant had to live in the United States for 5 years before being able to vote, but the law changed it from 5 years to 14 years. The Federalists saw as a threat to American security. One Federalist said that there was “no need to invite hordes of Wild Irishmen, nor the turbulent and disorderly of all the world, to come here with a basic view to distract our tranquility,” even though the non-English people have been supporters of the Democratic-Republicans

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.

Oliver Wendell Holmes once wrote, “The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsly shouting in a theatre and causing panic.” Similarly, the Supreme Court’s ruling to arrest Schenck was wrong, and a U.S. citizen should be allowed to protest a war or draft in times of war. Specifically, the Espionage Act violated the first Amendment, Charles Schenck, whom was arrested after violating the Act, was indicting no violence, and the Act violated the 13th Amendment. First, citizens in the U.S. being allowed to protest wars or drafts specifically shines through since the Espionage Act violates the 13th Amendment.

The moment that the Twin Towers fell in New York, America became destined for change. In the wake of these attacks, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 was quickly passed through congress, and signed by then-president, George W. Bush. The act itself gives the FBI and other government agencies the ability to do and use certain methods, many of which are already used by other law enforcement organizations, to help prevent future terrorist attacks. Since then, this piece of legislation has been the center of much debate and controversy. But, there is ample reason to believe that the Patriot Act is needed and effective.

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows U.S. intelligence agencies to acquire foreign intelligence information by monitoring foreign persons in the USA and abroad. This act ensures that intelligence agencies can respond in time to terminate a security threat. The most important part of this act, the Section 702 forbids deliberate monitoring of US citizens and their communication. Technically NSA has been violating this act ever since it has been enacted in 2008 because, as we know, they have been monitoring all US citizenry.

The Importance of the 1st Amendment In 1787 our founding fathers assembled the constitution of the United States of America. Of this which contains the most important document to the American citizen, the Bill of rights. The first Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” These freedoms granted by the Bill of Rights are often known as freedom of expression. These rights are most important to a truly free society. The first amendment provides us with new ideas and dismisses the fear of punishment

Andrew Johnson became the President of the United States after the assassination of President Lincoln. Johnson stepped into office after the Civil War, which was a fragile time for the country. As president after the war, it was Johnson’s duty to assist in unifying the southern slave states and the northern rebellious population, as one country. This was a difficult task to complete, especially after the assassination of a former president who really helped in the Civil War and with slavery. Johnson tried to quickly restore the states in the Union, however his actions lead to a presidential impeachment.