In what way did the Alien and Sedition Acts change the authority of the federal government?

Question

(1 point)
• The acts limited the amount of power delegated to each branch of government.
The acts redefined the powers of the legislative branch.
The acts clarified the role of the Supreme Court.
• The acts permitted the government to deny citizens rights in time of war.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: The acts permitted the government to deny citizens rights in time of war.

The Alien and Sedition Acts, passed in 1798, allowed the federal government to restrict civil liberties, particularly during times of perceived national security threats. Specifically, the Sedition Act made it a crime to publish false or scandalous statements against the federal government, effectively limiting freedom of speech and the press. This was viewed as an expansion of federal authority at the expense of individual rights.