The Sedition Act made it illegal to “print, utter, or publish ... any false, scandalous, and malicious

Question

writing” about the American government. How did this law affect the election of 1800?
A. Support for the law led to a landslide victory for John Adams.
B. New immigrants were no longer allowed to vote in federal elections.
C. Criticism of the law contributed to the defeat of the Federalist party.
D. Enforcement of the law encouraged election fraud as a form of protest

Answer 1

The correct answer is C. Criticism of the law contributed to the defeat of the Federalist party.

The Sedition Act was widely criticized, and many saw it as an infringement on free speech and an attempt by the Federalist Party to suppress opposition. As a result, public discontent with the law helped galvanize support for the opposing Democratic-Republican Party, ultimately contributing to the defeat of the Federalists in the election of 1800.