The Research On The Sedition Act Of 1798 In America

In 1798, the Federalists of America wanted to settle the problems at home and abroad. Therefore, Federalist Congress passed the Sedition Act. This thesis will discuss the historical background of the Sedition Act, the debates of the Sedition Act in the Congress, judicial practices of the Sedition Act, and the invalidation of the Sedition Act. This thesis included four parts.Chapter One:the historical background of the Sedition Act. Since the foundation of the United States, the Federalists and the Republicans had big different opinions on the future of America. With the development of the French Revolution, they began to discuss the relations between America and France. At last, France disrupted ties with America and began the quasi-war. The Federalists decided to take measures immediately to stabilize the domestic situation.Chapter Two:the passage of the Sedition Act. This part will discuss the main contents of the Sedition Act, the debates of the Sedition Act in Congress, and try to interpret the opinions of the Federalists and the Republicans on the Sedition Act.Chapter Three:the Sedition Act in judicial practice. This part will discuss three notorious trials under the Sedition Act, and try to explain how the Federalists implement the Sedition Act. A violent dispute between the Federalists and the Republicans arose again.Chapter Four:the Expiration of the Sedition Act. Although the Sedition Acts was necessary at that time, it lacked a solid Constitutional basis. The Republicans used the birth defect of the Sedition Act and obtained great popularity from the people of the United States. At last, they won the election of 1800. The new Congress failed to renew the Sedition Act, which expired by its own provisions on March3,1801.