The U.S. Bill of Rights laid a foundation for civil rights and civil liberties for citizens in the United States. Read this article, which explains the difference between these two concepts. How have they evolved since the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788? Now, let's take a moment to do some primary source analysis. Choose two primary source documents written between 1786 and 1800. Answer these questions for each document: Who authored the document? Were they in favor or opposed to the Bill of Rights/Constitution? Was it written before or after the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788? What is the argument in the document? Does it support or oppose the Constitution and Bill of Rights? Where do you see Enlightenment ideology? Is the document a Federalist or Anti-Federalist document, and how did it help establish the U.S. government?
The Sedition Act of 1798
July 14, 1798
An Act in addition to the act, entitled "An act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States".
SEC. I
Be it enacted . . ., That if any persons shall
unlawfully combine or conspire together, with intent to oppose any
measure or measures of the government of the United States, which are or
shall be directed by proper authority, or to impede the operation of
any law of the United States, or to
intimidate or prevent any person holding a place or office in or under
the government of the United States, from undertaking, performing or
executing his trust or duty; and if any person or persons, with intent
as aforesaid, shall counsel, advise or attempt to procure any
insurrection, riot. unlawful assembly,
or combination, whether such conspiracy, threatening, counsel, advice,
or attempt shall have the proposed effect or not, he or they shall be
deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor, and on conviction, before any court
of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a
fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, and by imprisonment during a
term not less than six months nor exceeding five years; and further, at
the discretion of the court may be holden to find sureties for his good
behaviour in such sum, and for such time, as the said court may direct.
SEC. 2.
That if any person shall write, print, utter. Or
publish, or shall cause or procure to be written, printed, uttered or
published, or shall knowingly and willingly assist or aid in writing,
printing, uttering or publishing any false,
scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of
the United States, or either house of the Congress of the United States,
or the President of the United States, with intent to defame the said
government, or either house of the said Congress, or the said President,
or to bring them. or either of them, into contempt or disrepute; or to
excite against them, or either or any of them, the hatred of the good
people of the United States, or to excite any unlawful
combinations therein, for opposing or resisting any law of the United
States, or any act of the President of the United States, done in
pursuance of any such law, or of the powers in him vested by the
constitution of the United States, or to
resist, oppose, or defeat any such law or act, or to aid, encourage or
abet any hostile designs of any foreign nation against the United
States, their people or government, then such person, being thereof
convicted before any court of the
United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine
not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment not exceeding
two years.
SEC. 3.
That if any person shall be prosecuted under this act,
for the writing or publishing any libel aforesaid, it shall be lawful
for the defendant, upon the trial of the cause, to give in evidence in
his defence, the truth of the matter
contained in the publication charged as a libel. And the jury who shall
try the cause, shall have a right to determine the law and the fact,
under the direction of the court, as in other cases.
SEC. 4.
That this act shall continue to be in force until March 3, 1801, and no longer....