Cabinet Dilemma – The Alien and Sedition Acts (Adams to Jefferson)

Directions:In a group of 4 (Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of War, and the Attorney General) define the terms below and then describe what dilemma President John Adams' cabinet is dealing with in your own words. Make sure your explanation is clear and complete so that you completely understand what is happening during this time.Each Cabinet member will turn in a piece of paper.

Terms to Define: Tension, petition, immigrant, discrimination, alien, sedition, naturalization, malicious, nullify

Dilemma Description: The year is 1798 and tension is rising between the United States and France. Feeling disrespected by the French government after the XYZ Affair, President Adams' administration is building its military in preparation for a possible conflict with France. Many in the Democratic-Republican Party, led by Vice President Jefferson, oppose this move as a Federalist Party act of provoking France into a fight. Many Pro-France Republicans are petitioning the federal government, accusing it of unfairly treating French supporters and immigrants in the United States.

Federalist Party leader Alexander Hamilton feels that a French threat on our land is very real and must be dealt with immediately through new laws. Republicans see this as a political attack against its party, since many in the party are French supporters.

Cabinet Decision Options (Response #1)

Directions:As a "cabinet" decide which option fits best by choosing one of the following letters. Then write down the option on the same sheet of paperandexplain why it is the best choice in30 words or more.

Response:

______

What Really Happened (Response #2)

Directions:Use your textbook andoutside sources to help you answerthe followingquestions on thesame sheet of paperas your Cabinet Decision Optionin reflective sentences.

1What did the Naturalization Act do?

2What did the Alien Acts do towards immigrants?

3What did the Sedition Acts do towards protesters and petitioners against the government?

4Why were these acts passed?

5What effects did these acts have?

6Do you agree with the actions of President Adams' cabinet decisions? Why or why not?

7What amendments from the Constitution are being violated in these acts if any?

8Political Cartoon Analysis: What is happening in the political cartoon at the top of this page?( How is it related to the Alien and Sedition Acts?

9Political Cartoon Analysis: Look at the political cartoon right above to answer the following: Who is the hedgehog? What do you think he is signing? What do you think the lion and devilish figure are supposed to symbolize? Who is the crying woman in the background? What is she weeping on? In your opinion what is the overall message of this political cartoon?

10What did the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutionsof 1798 and 1799 claim the Alien and Sedition Acts violated? What did the statesdo to stop it?

11What did states' rights did these resolutions affirm or declare?

12How did the U.S. eventually make peace with France? How did this affect President Adams?

13How does an immigrant qualify for naturalization in our country today?(

14Take the Naturalization Sample Test that immigrants must take in order to qualify for citizenship by clicking here ( Write down your score. Should American citizens take this test too? Why or why not?

HONORS SAS ONLY: Analyze this quote by J.C. Miller:"Without freedom of discussion, without the right of examining the methods and objectives of the party in power and criticizing its acts, democracy becomes and empty name."What is he referring to? Who is the part in power? Do you agree with this quote? Why or why not? Explain with specific historical examples.