"That if any person shall write, print, utter, or publish... any false, scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States, or either house of the Congress... with intent to defame the said government... shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment not exceeding two years." — Sedition Act, July 14, 1798
Which political faction in Congress was the principal sponsor of this law?
- A
Democratic-Republicans aligned with Thomas Jefferson
- B
Anti-Federalists protesting the Constitution's ratification
- Ccheck_circle
Federalists, who controlled Congress and the presidency under John Adams
- D
Loyalists hoping to restore British rule
Explanation
Federalist majorities passed the Sedition Act amid the Quasi-War with France to silence Jeffersonian newspaper critics. Democratic-Republicans bitterly opposed it; Anti-Federalists and Loyalists were no longer organized political forces by 1798.