Focus Writing

Title: 1st Amendment Date: 2/9/2010

1. What are the provisions of the 1st Amendment?

2. Which of the following would be protected by the First Amendment?

A. Writing an editorial in a newspaper criticizing the performance of Congress

B. Printing a letter to the editor calling the President a fool and criticizing a particular presidential policy

C. Stating in a speech that a particular policy of the United States is foolish

Learning Targets

• Describe basic elements of the Sedition Act of 1798

• Evaluate ways that the Sedition Act may have been in conflict with the First Amendment

Unit 3: Personal Citizenship

1. Civil Rights and Personal Liberties– Bill of Rights– Immigration– Mock Trial

2. Source of Stability in our System

3. Local Politics

4. Advocacy and Personal Citizenship

Storming of the Bastille – 7/14/1789

The Terror - 1793

Background

• 1789 – The French Revolution – turned very violent

• 1794 – Jay’s Treaty – favored trading with Britain

• 1797 – France demands “loan” (really a bribe) from U.S.

• Adams decides to increase size of Navy instead – “Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute”

Political Differences

Federalists – Adams

Democratic-Republicans - Jefferson

Central Gov Strong Weak

Purpose of Gov

Fear anarchy – control the people

Fear tyranny – promote liberty and pursuit of happiness

Country of favor

Britain France – admired their democratic and revolutionary spirit

Sedition Act - 1798

Climate of conflict (with France and between the two parties)

Federalist Congress passes the Alien and Sedition Acts

Read the description on the back

Read the description of the Sedition Act

Alien & Sedition Acts1. What were the goals of passing the Alien and Sedition

Acts of 1798?2. Summarize the Sedition Act – write it in your own words.3. Under the Sedition Act, which of the following would have

been illegal? A. Writing an editorial in a newspaper criticizing the performance of

CongressB. Printing a letter to the editor calling the President a fool and

criticizing a particular presidential policyC. Stating in a speech that a particular policy of the United States is

foolish

4. Does the Sedition Act comply with the 1st Amendment? Explain your answer.

5. What did Jefferson and Madison do to oppose the Alien and Sedition Acts? Does this agree with their views on government?