The United States of America has always been a country that prides itself in being a nation of immigrants and providing the right of free speech to all of its citizens. June 18, 1798 marked the beginning of something that went against these ideals. Whether one was wealthy or poor; a citizen or an alien; young or old - they were impacted by a vote of congress. This was the date that the first of the four acts known as the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed and became responsible for upsetting America’s balance.1 The decision to pass these acts impacted everything and the public did not completely approve. There were many issues with these acts that lead to them being repealed.
In the 1790s, there was a wide political divide in America between the Federalists, who, as their name suggests, supported a …show more content…
They obfuscated the dream of having an American life into only a dream that was difficult for most to achieve. America offered the hope better life than the countries the immigrants left, but these Acts kindled prejudices among the American people, took away rights, and probably made many newcomers want to return to their homeland. Everyday was a challenge even for the average citizen, as they had to be careful with everything they wrote or said for fear of getting arrested for violating the Sedition Act. These acts impaired the right to talk and express opinions, gave the president too much power, and made immigrants live in fear of being marked a threat and deported. It came to a point where everyone was so extremely opposed these Acts that, that John Adams had to step down, making Thomas Jefferson the new president. For these many reasons, the American public hated the Alien and Sedition Acts, which led to them being repealed, and America once again could be a safe place for immigrants to live and Americans to express their opinions without fear of
In the 1790s, there was a wide political divide in America between the Federalists, who, as their name suggests, supported a …show more content…
They obfuscated the dream of having an American life into only a dream that was difficult for most to achieve. America offered the hope better life than the countries the immigrants left, but these Acts kindled prejudices among the American people, took away rights, and probably made many newcomers want to return to their homeland. Everyday was a challenge even for the average citizen, as they had to be careful with everything they wrote or said for fear of getting arrested for violating the Sedition Act. These acts impaired the right to talk and express opinions, gave the president too much power, and made immigrants live in fear of being marked a threat and deported. It came to a point where everyone was so extremely opposed these Acts that, that John Adams had to step down, making Thomas Jefferson the new president. For these many reasons, the American public hated the Alien and Sedition Acts, which led to them being repealed, and America once again could be a safe place for immigrants to live and Americans to express their opinions without fear of