Glossary

Alien and Sedition Acts

A series of acts passed in 1798 under the Federalist administration of President John Adams and vehemently opposed by Thomas Jefferson and other Jeffersonian Republicans. Their creators and supporters claimed the acts were intended to protect the United States from actions or speech inciting rebellion. All four of the acts were allowed to expire, or were repealed under President Thomas Jefferson, except for "An Act Respecting Alien Enemies," which remains in effect to this day.