History of the United States I / Unit 8 USH1 1084 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Prosecutions
Captions available
The idea
Federal prosecutors convicted ten editors and printers under the Sedition Act, and the administration also indicted a Republican congressman who had criticised the president.
In practice
Luther Baldwin arrested in a tavern for an intoxicated remark about Adams, imprisoned two months and fined.
Where people slip
The Acts were enforced against opposition newspapers, which is what makes them a party weapon rather than a security measure.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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