| − | The Alien and Sedition Acts was passed by Congress in 1798 during the undeclared [[Quasi War]] with France (called the "Quasi War" because it was not officially declared). The acts made a federal crime to criticize the government, and restricted aliens. [[Enemy aliens]] (that is foreigners owing loyalty to a country at war with the U.S.) could be rounded up by the president; this latter authority is still in effect in 2007. The [[Federalist Party]] passed the act, warning of the dangers of French subversion. [[Jeffersonian Republicans]] complained the laws were not needed and that their friends and allies were the target. Jefferson at one point drafted a threat for Virginia to secede, but dropped it from the text. In January 1800, the Virginia General Assembly passed the "Report of 1800", a document by Madison affirming the principles of the Resolutions and responding to criticism they had received. | + | The Alien and Sedition Acts was passed by Congress in 1798 during the undeclared [[Quasi-War]] with France (called the "Quasi War" because it was not officially declared). The acts made a federal crime to criticize the government, and restricted aliens. [[Enemy aliens]] (that is foreigners owing loyalty to a country at war with the U.S.) could be rounded up by the president; this latter authority is still in effect in 2007. The [[Federalist Party]] passed the act, warning of the dangers of French subversion. [[Jeffersonian Republicans]] complained the laws were not needed and that their friends and allies were the target. Jefferson at one point drafted a threat for Virginia to secede, but dropped it from the text. In January 1800, the Virginia General Assembly passed the "Report of 1800", a document by Madison affirming the principles of the Resolutions and responding to criticism they had received. |