Introduction -- Federalist and Republican views of government -- Passing laws against internal enemies -- The Sedition Act first campaign: "The suppression of the Whig presses": Common law sedition prosecutions -- Targeting opposition members of Congress -- Keeping the North safe from sedition -- Failed prosecutions -- The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions -- The Sedition Act second campaign: The rebellion the army could not find -- The Fries Rebellion and sedition -- The army and the Sedition Act -- The Sedition Act Third campaign: The "reign of witches" and the election of 1800 -- A new round of enforcement -- New York prosecutions -- New England prosecutions -- Prowling the circuit stalking sedition -- The Alien Act: "Worthy of the 8th. or 9th. Century" -- French intriguers and hordes of wild Irishmen -- At the mercy of one man -- Epilogue
Summary
The prosecution of dissent under the Alien and Sedition Acts affected far more people than previously realized. It also provoked the first battle over the Bill of Rights. Wendell Bird provides the definitive account of a dark moment in U.S. history, reminding us that expressive freedom and opposition politics are essential to a stable democracy
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes
In English
Online resource; title from PDF title page (ProQuest Ebook Central, viewed May 5, 2021)
