Compare And Contrast Alien And Sedition Dbq

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Back in the late 18th century the United States prepared in anticipation for a war against France. Congress passed The Alien and Sedition Acts which made it illegal for American citizens to speak against the government. While The Naturalization Act of 1798 required aliens to state their purpose to receive citizenship, five years before they were given it, and made people from enemy countries unable to become citizens. Many Americans were outraged and pleased with the newly passed Acts, some attacked them while others fought to protect them. James Madison, a simple man living in private life, worked in secret with Jefferson to create an essay that criticized the Acts and was later approved by the Virginia Legislature. Whilst Timothy Pickering,