The Sedition Act: Certain Crimes Against the United States

President John Adams
Photo caption

President John Adams.

"It is impossible to conceal from ourselves or the world what has been before observed, that endeavors have been employed to foster and establish a division between the Government and people of the United States. To investigate the causes which have encouraged this attempt is not necessary; but to repel, by decided and united councils, insinuations so derogatory to the honor and aggressions so dangerous to the Constitution, union, and even independence of the nation is an indispensable duty."

—From John Adams—Special Message to the Senate and the House, May 16, 1797 on the EDSITEment resource The Avalon Project





Guiding Questions

What conditions provided the impetus for the Sedition Act?


What were some applications and consequences of the Act?

Learning Objectives

Summarize briefly the international situation during John Adams's presidency.

List the concerns that led to the Sedition Act.

Describe the Sedition Act.

List some objections to the Sedition Act.

Discuss the consequences of the Sedition Act.

Illustrate the difficulty of balancing security needs and personal freedom using an example from Adams's presidency.