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The '''Alien and Sedition Acts''' (1798) were four separate acts passed by the [[Federalist]] controlled U.S. Congress during John Adams administration as America prepared for a possible war with [[France]]. <ref> http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Alien.html</ref> The four measures limited freedom of the [[press]] and speech and restricted the activities of aliens, particularly [[French]] and [[Irish]].<ref>Paul Johnson, A History of the American People, page. 240</ref> The acts were an extremely divisive issue between [[Federalist]] and the [[Democrat]]-[[Republican]] party.

The '''Alien and Sedition Acts''' (1798) were four separate acts passed by the [[Federalist]] controlled [[U.S. Congress]] during [[John Adams]] administration as America prepared for a possible war with [[France]]. <ref> http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Alien.html</ref> The four measures limited freedom of the [[press]] and speech and restricted the activities of aliens, particularly [[French]] and [[Irish]].<ref>Paul Johnson, A History of the American People, page. 240</ref> The acts were an extremely divisive issue between [[Federalist]] and the [[Democrat]]-[[Republican]] party.

The Sedition of Act of 1798 made illegal to criticize the government of the United States under penalty of fines and/or imprisonment. In the most early instance of the acts usage, Luther Bladwin, a New Jersey citizen, was convected for and fined $100 for wishing that a wad from a presidential saluting-cannon hit Adams.

The Sedition of Act of 1798 made illegal to criticize the government of the United States under penalty of fines and/or imprisonment. In the most early instance of the acts usage, Luther Bladwin, a New Jersey citizen, was convected for and fined $100 for wishing that a wad from a presidential saluting-cannon hit Adams.