Draggingtree Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Jul 14, 1798: Sedition Act becomes federal law On this day in 1798, one of the most egregious breaches of the U.S. Constitution in history becomes federal law when Congress passes the Sedition Act, endangering liberty in the fragile new nation. While the United States engaged in naval hostilities with Revolutionary France, known as the Quasi-War, Alexander Hamilton and congressional Federalists took advantage of the public's wartime fears and drafted and passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, without first consulting President John Adams. The first three acts took aim at the rights of immigrants. The period of residency required before immigrants could apply for citizenship was extended from five to 14 years, and the president gained the power to detain and deport those he deemed enemie http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sedition-act-becomes-federal-law Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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