How did the alien and sedition acts impact the relations between the federalists and the jefersonians?
The Jeffersonians considered the Alien and Sedition Acts unconstitutional. The Federalists wanted to prevent any interference in federalist policy and they considered criticizing of the Federalists in power as interference. The acts violated such things as the First Amendment. Prison and fines were the punishment for persons found guilty of publishing statements that held the US government in contempt. Twenty five cases were brought under the Sedition Act (the Alien Act was not enforced) and ten people were convicted. The Alien Act would have had an impact on immigrants who were often supporters of the Jeffersonian-Republicans.
