Answer

Primary Source Analysis

The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 refer to the four bills passed by the Federalists in the United States fifth Congress and approved by President John Adams, who signed them into law in 1798. The acts were passed in response to the French foreign threat arising from the French Revolution and the Quasi-War. The primary intent of the law was to strengthen national security despite the arguments by critics that the laws only aimed at suppressing the voters’ rights who disagreed with the Federalist Party. The laws offered the President massive powers and privileges in line with border security and maintenance of sovereignty by allowing him to imprison or deport aliens deemed dangerous to the peace and safety of the U.S. It also increased the residency requirement for American citizenship to 14 years from the usual 5 years while also ensuring the President ca imprison or deport any alien during times of war as considered necessary.

Since most of the immigrants supported Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans, the Acts intended to send a political message to the opponents by suppressing their supporters. Furthermore, because such restrictions were necessary, the controversial Sedition Act led to the limitation of speech and severe subjugation of national demonstrations that proved very critical to the federal government. Although the Acts were to be in force 1801, the Democratic-Republicans denounced them, thereby helping them to attain victory over the incumbent President Adams replaced by Jefferson in the 1800 presidential elections.  Although the Sedition Act and the Alien Friends Act terminated in 1800 and 1801 respectively, the Alien Enemies Act remained in effect and was significantly used during the Second World War to deport, detain, and confiscate alien properties, especially those allied to the Axis.