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THE ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS
In response to the threat of
war with France, the Federalist-controlled U. S. Congress passed
four laws known as the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798.
The laws lengthened the residency for
naturalization to fourteen years and imposed a minimum five year
advance notification for citizenship. The Acts empowered the
president to expel or deport aliens deemed a threat to public
peace, and expel or imprison aliens whose country was at war
with the United States.
There were fines and/or imprisonment
for writing false or malicious criticisms of the Government of
the United States, the President, or Congress. Many journalists
were fined or imprisoned during this period.
The Acts were abolished during the
presidency of Thomas Jefferson, who granted full pardons to most
of those incarcerated.
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