Summary: The Alien and Sedition Acts consisted of four laws enacted by the United States government in 1798. The U.S. passed these laws during a time of great uncertainty. Why did Americans fear for the United States’ existence and why did they think four laws that limited citizenship and freedom of speech would protect their young republic? Terri Halperin, author of The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798: Testing the Constitution, helps us find answers to these questions.
