How did the poisonous political atmosphere of the late 1790s produce both the Alien and Sedition Acts and the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions?

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Cristian Farrell

Social Studies

3 April, 02:43

How did the poisonous political atmosphere of the late 1790s produce both the Alien and Sedition Acts and the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions?

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Shania King · Answer 1

The Alien and Sedition Acts were a set of laws that were passed by the United States Congress in 1798. The historical and political context in which they arise relate to the forecasts taken by the US government for the possibility of a war with France.

The decrees of these laws were intended to place limits on foreigners. Specifically, for the French and Irish immigrants, the waiting period for naturalization was increased and the expulsion of foreigners who were considered dangerous was also authorized. They also aimed to prohibit the press from issuing criticism about the government.

The Virginia (1798) and Kentucky (1799) Resolutions were political statements whose position stated that the Federal Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. These resolutions stated that states have an obligation to respect the limits, authorities, rights and freedoms mentioned in the Constitution. In this way, the judicial authority was the only one who could interpret the Constitution ultimately. For this reason, the resolutions mentioned that in case of serious violations of essential rights, only the judiciary could exercise and punish according to the provisions of the Constitution, as well as to judge whether these rights were violated.