What were the Federalists and Republicans views in the Alien and Sedition Acts? ?
Federalists – supported acts Democratic-Republicans – didn’t support acts In 1798, the Federalist-controlled Congress passed a series of laws which, on the surface, were designed to control the activities of foreigners in the United States during a time of impending war. Beneath the surface, however, the real intent of these laws was to destroy Jeffersonian governmental ideas. The laws, known collectively as the “Alien and Sedition Acts,” included: * The Naturalization Act, which extended the residency period from 5 to 14 years for those aliens seeking citizenship; this law was aimed at Irish and French immigrants who were often active in Democratic-Republican politics * The Alien Act, which allowed the expulsion of aliens deemed dangerous during peacetime * The Alien Enemies Act, which allowed the expulsion or imprisonment of aliens deemed dangerous during wartime. This was never enforced, but it did prompt numerous Frenchmen to return home * The Sedition Act, which provided for fines
