Excerpt From Alien & Sedition Acts

That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States at any time during the continnuance of this act, to order all such aliens as he shall judge dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States, or shall have reasonable grounds to suspect are concerned in any treasonable or secret machinations against the government thereof, to depart out of the territory of the United States

And in case any alien, so ordered to depart, shall be found at large within the United States after the time limited in such order for his departure, and not having obtained a license shall not haveconformed thereto, every such alien shall, on conviction thereof, be imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years, and shall never after be admitted to become a citizen of the United States.

Every master or commander of any ship or vessel which shall come into any port of the United States after the first day of July next, shall immediately on his arrival make report in writing to the collector or other chief officer of the customs of such port, of all aliens, if any, on board his vessel, specifying their names, age, the place of nativity, the country from which they shall have come, and the nation to which they belong and owe allegiance

If any person shall write, print, utter, or publish, or shall cause or procure to be written, printed, uttered or published, or shall knowingly and willingly assist or aid in writing, printing, uttering or publishing any false, scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government, then such person, being thereof convicted before any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment not exceeding two years.

BACKGROUND: In the late 1790’s, Americans were fearful of “aliens” and “enemies” within the United States as a result of the ongoing tension between France and the United States. As a result, President John Adams signed the Alien & Sedition Acts into law.Directions: When you and your group receive the Translation slips from Mr. M, read each one aloud, then try to figure out what part of the primary source it matches up with. When your group thinks it has a match, call on Mr. M to see if it is correct or not, then record it in the “What it Means” box.

1. List what you believe the 5 important details you notice in this drawing.

2. The artist depicts both Americans and the French in the drawing. Who is who? How do you know?

3. How would you describe the Americans? The French?

4. What might have the artist who drew this been trying to say about France?

5. If you were an American in the 1790’s, what would this picture make you think about the French? Why?

Excerpt From Alien & Sedition Acts

if any persons shall unlawfully combine or conspire together, with intent to oppose any measure or measures of the government of the United States, he or they shall be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor, and on conviction, before any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, and by imprisonment during a term not less than six months nor exceeding five years

And if any alien so removed or sent out of the United States by the President shall voluntarily return thereto, unless by permission of the President of the United States, such alien on conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned so long as, in the opinion of the President, the public safety may require.

SUMMARIZING THE ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS:Based on what the Alien & Sedition Acts accomplished: Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1.) Which parts of the Bill of Rights does it seem the Alien & Sedition Acts were violating?

2.) Is it okay to limit people’s freedom in times of war like John Adams tried to do? Why or why not?

3.) What does John Adam’s Decision to sign the Alien & Sedition Acts reveal to you about him as both a president and a person? Was he right to make this decision?

BACKGROUND: In the late 1790’s, Americans were fearful of “aliens” and “enemies” within the United States as a result of the ongoing tension between France and the United States. As a result, President John Adams signed the Alien & Sedition Acts into law.Directions: When you and your group receive the Translation slips from Mr. M, read each one aloud, then try to figure out what part of the primary source it matches up with. When your group thinks it has a match, call on Mr. M to see if it is correct or not, then record it in the “What it Means” box.

If people try to take actions against the US Government, they will be charged with a misdemeanor, and after conviction, be charged no more than $5000 and serve a jail sentence not less than 6 months but not more than 5 years

Every boat that comes into the United States will let it be known if they are carrying foreigners into the country, along with what country the foreigners are coming from and what country they are loyal to

If any foreigner returns to the United States without the permission of the United States, they will be imprisoned as long as the President thinks is necessary for the safety of the people

It will be the president’s right, if he suspects any foreigners of acting against the government or to be dangerous, to order these foreigners to leave the United States

If a foreigner is found in the United States after they have been ordered to leave without a license, after conviction they will be imprisoned no more than 3 years and denied citizenship forever

6. If anybody writes or helps anybody write things against the government, the will be punished with a fine that will not be more than $2,000 and be imprisoned for no more than 2 years