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Alien and Sedition Acts. Set up by Federalists to protect nation from noncitizens First Alien law lengthened time to become a citizen from 5 years to 14 years Most immigrants were Republican, so this angered Jefferson Other two Alien laws set up so president could deport or jail any spies
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Alien and Sedition Acts • Set up by Federalists to protect nation from noncitizens • First Alien law lengthened time to become a citizen from 5 years to 14 years • Most immigrants were Republican, so this angered Jefferson • Other two Alien laws set up so president could deport or jail any spies • French spies a threat at the time (Edmond Genet) • Sedition Act: outlawed starting a rebellion • Printing, speaking or rousing a rebellion not allowed • Federalist wanted people to stop trying to destroy the gov’t • Or if they wrote poorly about President Adams
Stopping the Federalists • Jefferson and James Madison (Republicans) argued that the government wasn’t allowed to restrict free speech and freedom of the press • States could nullify the laws • VA and KY only states that nullified • States’ Rights: States not required to follow unfair federal laws • VA and KY couldn’t rally any other support and the protest died
Election of 1800 • Jefferson vs. Adams Round 2 • Some wanted Hamilton, but he wasn’t born in the US • Each had a VP candidate • Campaigns: • Adams: Peace and Prosperity • Jefferson: Frugal and simple Government • Constitution and States’ rights • Election all about insulting the other guy • Hamilton helps rig election because he didn’t get along with Adams. Republicans win
Confusion on the winner • The Republicans clearly won the election • But Jefferson and his VP, Aaron Burr, technically had a tie because they were on the same ballot • Voted on in the House • Hamilton breaks the tie by voting for Jefferson, saying he “isn’t so dangerous” • 12th Amendment makes it clear who will be president for a party in 1804