Freedom of Speech? The Sedition Act of 1798

Congressman Matthew Lyon of Vermont, shown here in a actual fight with another congressman on the floor of the House of Representatives, said that all President Adams wanted was "ridiculous pomp [ceremony]." That was enough to have Congressmen Lyon charged with violating the Sedition Act, passed by Congress in 1798 and signed into law by President Adams. He was one of many to be charged and convicted under this law.

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Paragraph 1: Describe the Sedition Act of 1798 – explain what acts were illegal, why the law was passed, and the penalties for violation. Be sure to use brief quotations from the text to support your answer

Paragraph 2: Describe the reasons that Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Armstrong oppose the Sedition Acts. Explain what actions that they suggest should be done to stop these laws. Be sure to use brief quotations from the text to support your answer

Paragraph 3: The Sedition Act clearly limited freedom of speech. Some “speech” in the US is limited: for example, making terrorist threats or revealing military secrets are not considered “protected speech” under the First Amendment. Do you think that there should be any limits on free speech? Why or why not?