The Controversial Legacy of the Alien and Sedition Acts
Words: 616 1485In the late 18th century the fledgling United States faced internal and external pressures that led to one of the most controversial legislative measures in its history: the Alien and Sedition Acts. These four laws enacted in 1798 were aimed at strengthening national security but ended up igniting fierce debates about civil liberties immigration and the limits of governmental power. The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by the Federalist-dominated Congress during a time when the United States was on […]