Jeffersonian Era

DBQ

Q] To what extent did the Alien and Sedation Acts of 1798 contribute to the controversy's of the 1700's

A] The impact that the Alien and Sedation Acts had on the already boiling controversies of the 1700's was great. There where many important and consequential events that took place during this era. Some of the major issues where things like the XYZ affair ,the whiskey rebellion tariffs taxes and British impressment As well as the French revolution in full force overseas. With all of theses situations already boiling the blood of the American people the introduction of the Alien and Sedation Act made the already aggravated citizens of America even more furious.

The XYZ affair in itself was the single most momentous incident that befell the maturing American government this happened when Adams sent delegation to Paris to negotiate with the french government and was demanded by three men only known as X,Yand Z to pay a fee and take back anti-french comments only to speak with the prime minister (Tallyrand ) of France in response to this Adams declared that he wouldn't even give France a six pence (a penny) and also would not take back his comments about the french (Document M) Americans were infuriated and implored Adams to go to war with France in Adams eyes the media was blowing the affair out of proportion (Document L)Adams didn't go to war with France Adams was harshly criticized by Madison and Jefferson (Document N) for deciding to refrain from war with with France from this issue America was already angry when the alien and sedation acts where introduced it made the people angry that the gov could restrict their rights with the sedation and deploy people without a cause.