What were the Alien and Sedition Acts? Why were they passed?
the Alien and Sedition Acts were four bills passed in 1798 by the Federalists in the US Congress, who were waging an undeclared naval war with France, later known as the Quasi-War. they were signed into law by John Adams. proponents claimed the acts were designed to protect the United States from alien citizens of enemy powers and to stop seditious attacks from weakening the government. the Republicans attacked them as being both unconstitutional and designed to stifle criticism of the administration, and as infringing on the right of the states to act in these areas. they became a major political issue in the elections of 1798 and 1800.
