QUIZ
Free Speech in the
Federalist Era (The Alien and Sedition
Acts)
Questions 1-6 are based on the following passage.
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Federalists
versus Jeffersonian Democratic-Republicans The Federalists,
led by Alexander Hamilton, supported a strong central government that favored
manufacturing, landowners, banking interests, merchants, and close ties with
England. Opposed to them were the Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas
Jefferson, who wanted limited powers for the federal government. Adams's
Federalist leanings and experience as vice president helped him follow George
Washington into the presidency in 1796. Adams won the election principally
because he identified himself with Washington’s administration and because he
was able to win some electoral votes from Jeffersonian states. In 1800, Adams
faced a much tougher battle for re-election, as the differences between the
Federalists and the Republicans became sharper. The
Adams presidency was dramatically affected by foreign crises. Adams was
suspicious of the French Revolution and its potential for terror and anarchy,
so he opposed close ties with France. America and France were soon at the
brink of war, allowing Adams to justify his signing of the extremely
controversial Alien and Sedition Acts. Drafted by Federalist lawmakers, these
four laws were largely aimed at immigrants, who tended to become
Jeffersonians. Furious over Adams's foreign policy and his signing of the
Alien and Sedition Acts, Republicans responded with the Kentucky and Virginia
Resolutions, which challenged federal authority over the states. |
Republicans
were just as angered by the heavy taxation necessary for Adams's military
build-up; farmers in Pennsylvania even staged a rebellion in protest. At the
same time, Adams faced disunity in his own party due to conflict with
Hamilton over the undeclared naval war with France. This rivalry with
Hamilton and the Federalist Party cost Adams the 1800 election. He lost to
Thomas Jefferson, who was backed by the united and far more organized
Democratic Republicans. Historians have difficulty assessing Adams's
presidency. Against Hamilton’s wishes, Adams avoided war with France. He
believed that war should be a last resort. Because of his diplomacy,
President Adams won the nation the respect of its most powerful adversaries.
Although Adams was fiercely criticized for signing the Alien and Sedition
Acts, he did not act in support of their passage nor did he personally
enforce them, and he pardoned the rebels in Pennsylvania. Seen in this light,
Adams's legacy is one of reason, virtuous leadership, compassion, and a
cautious but vigorous foreign policy. At the same time, Adams's stubborn
independence left him politically isolated. He did not have good relations
with his own cabinet, and his elitist attitudes stood in stark contrast to
the more egalitarian Jeffersonian democracy that was ready to assume power in
the new century. |
Choose the best answer.
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1. The American Civil War, which started in
1861, was about slavery, but it was also about whether or not Southern states
had a right to leave the Union. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 probably
helped contribute to a conflict that would eventually lead to the Civil War
because . . . a) The
Alien and Sedition Acts proved to Southerners that New Englanders like John
Adams were opposed to free speech b) The
Alien and Sedition Acts justified arguments that the Federal authority over
states should be limited. c)
The Alien and Sedition Acts angered and alienated black voters
in the South d)
The Alien and Sedition Acts favored
drafting immigrant labor over
slave labor 2.
The word “crisis” as used in the third paragraph of this passage probably means . . . a)
a
suspicious activity b)
an
economic downturn c)
a
dangerous situation d)
a
foreign country 3.
Alexander Hamilton’s position on the Quasi War with France was
that . . . a)
it
was ok to have a war as long as it was “undeclared” b)
President
Adams should have been more aggressive in fighting France c)
wars
should only be fought as a last resort d)
the
US would be better off bribing French officials to make concessions |
4.
One of John Adams strengths as president was . . . a)
his
ability to win personal friends at home and abroad b)
his
ability to avoid giving in to France without a full-fledged war c)
his
ability to control Hamilton and unite the Federalist party d)
his
democratic leanings and his “common touch” with the people 5.
The word “egalitarian” in the final paragraph probably means . . . a)
an
“eagle like” fierceness in favor of liberty b)
a
respect for the “best”, most talented people c)
a
fundamental belief in the equality of free men d)
a
legalistic commitment to the “letter of the law” 6.
The word “elitist” in the final paragraph probably means . . . a)
a
fundamental belief in the equality of free men b)
a
preference for the “best”, most talented people c)
a
humble and subservient attitude d) a warlike and aggressive attitude |
Questions 7-15 are based on the following passage. (Choose the best answer)
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The
First Amendment to the US Constitution -- Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances. There are six (6) rights guaranteed by the First
Amendment – freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom
of assembly, freedom of association, and freedom to petition the government
for redress of grievances. All
together, these are known as the freedom of expression. “Freedom
of Speech” does present some problems when applied to actual cases. First of
all, the word “No” in the first amendment is rarely taken literally. Almost no judge or Congressman has ever
believed that "Congress shall make no law" means Congress shall
make NO law. Such a strict
interpretation of the First Amendment allows no restrictions on obscenity,
libel, or slander. Authorities also
have to deal with what legal scholars call “The Heckler’s Veto” or the
problem that occurs when people try to use their “right” to free speech to
disrupt or prevent the speech of others.
Another troubling question about free speech concerns words that may
incite crimes or lead to dangerous situations. The legal concepts of “hate
speech” and “fighting words” indicate how difficult it is to understand
exactly what kinds of expression the First Amendment really protects. Symbolic “acts” such as burning flags or
draft cards make the problem even more difficult. |
7.
Which of the following is NOT found in the First Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States? a)
the
right to free speech b)
freedom
of religion c)
the
right to bear arms d)
freedom
of peaceful assembly 8.
Which of the following IS in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States? a)
the
right to a jury trial b)
freedom
from arbitrary search and seizure c)
the
right not to incriminate oneself d)
freedom
of the press 9.
One major problem with the “free speech” clause of the First Amendment is . .
. a)
it
is impossible to be interpreted literally b)
American
lawmakers and presidents have rarely respected it c)
Some
groups cannot be trusted with free speech d) Most Americans have always been afraid to exercise
free speech 10.
The basic point of this article is that Free Speech . . . a)
has
no true legal meaning in actual cases b) is the least important element of “freedom of
expression” c) is basically impossible for legal scholars to
explain d)
is
a complex concept that involves balancing the rights of many people |
Choose the best answer.
|
11. The word “redress” in the First Amendment probably means . . . a)
putting one’s clothes back on b)
compensation for damages c) overthrow of the
government d)
guaranteed voting rights 12. The word “abridging” in the First Amendment probably means. . . a)
crossing over troubled waters b)
limiting or cutting short c)
publication or promulgation d)
explaining in a long, boring way 13. The word “incite” in the final paragraph of this passage probably
means . . . a)
to motivate, stir up, or provoke b)
to blow up, damage, or destroy c)
to prevent, inhibit, or limit d)
to discourage, argue with, or prevent 14. A symbolic “act” as described in the passage would include . . . a)
writing angry letters to the editor b)
hanging a doll that looks like George W. Bush c)
drafting a petition against the war in Iraq d)
writing Congress to oppose the President’s budget |
15. A “strict” (literal) interpretation of the First Amendment would
mean . . . a)
Congress could pass NO laws limiting free speech b)
Only Congress could pass laws limiting free speech c)
Only the Supreme Court could allow limits to free speech d)
Free speech could only be limited in times of war |
Questions 16 and 17 refer to the following passage. Choose the best answer.
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Though
Hamilton never ran for president, he was recognized as the major leader of
the Federalist party. Hamilton and the
Federalists believed that the United States should develop into a major
manufacturing and trading power. All
of Hamilton’s policies were aimed toward that goal. Hamilton was not a person who had strong faith in democracy or
the wisdom of ordinary people. He
respected talent and wealth and believed that those people were the most
important for assuring that the United States and its new government would be
a success. Hamilton's
first priority as Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington was the
wise management of the total war debt of the young nation. He established a
revenue system based on customs duties and excise taxes. Making payments on
the debt helped gain the confidence and respect of foreign nations. Both
James Madison and Thomas Jefferson strongly opposed Hamilton's plan to
finance the debt, but Congress passed it overwhelmingly. Hamilton then
advocated the Federal assumption of the debts of the all the States. Madison and Jefferson also opposed this plan, but
during a private meeting, Hamilton agreed to move the nation’s capital south
to the Potomac River in Virginia, and in return Jefferson agreed to support
the assumption of state debts. Hamilton
also introduced plans for the First Bank of the United States. Against
Jefferson’s opposition, the Bank became a place to deposit government funds
and assist the government in its financial transactions (such as paying off
the debt). The Bank issued paper currency, which could be used to pay taxes
and debts owed to the federal government. Through its lending activities, a
Bank could also encourage the development of manufacturing and trade. |
The
one area where Hamilton was not successful was in his plan to establish a
protective tariff. A protective tariff
is a tax on imports high enough to discourage people from buying goods made
overseas. Such a tariff would allow
American manufacturers to market their goods at home without competition from
goods produced in Britain and elsewhere. After
Hamilton left Washington’s administration he worked as a
lawyer in New York City. He kept in close contact with President Washington, however, and
continued to give financial advice. Hamilton was fatally wounded during a
pistol duel with Jefferson’s Vice President, Aaron Burr, in 1804. 16. The Americans who supported the financial policies of Alexander Hamilton and who hoped that the US would develop into a major manufacturing and trading nation were known as . . . a)
Jacobins b)
Patriots c)
Jeffersonians d)
Federalists 17. Which of the following was NOT one of Alexander Hamilton’s major goals? a)
a major refinancing of the nation’s debts including the federal
assumption of state debts b)
a plan to encourage massive immigration by granting new immigrants
free lands on the western frontier c)
a plan to encourage domestic manufacturing by using protective
tariffs to drive up the price of foreign goods d)
a plan to keep the government’s finances organized and to encourage
economic development through a central bank |
The rest of the questions are based on class activities and discussions. Choose the best answer.
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18. Which of the following was
NOT one of the Alien & Sedition Acts? a)
the Protective Tariff Act b)
the Sedition Act c)
the Enemy Aliens Act d)
The Naturalization Act 19. Which of the following was NOT one of the reasons the Federalists
passed the Alien & Sedition Acts? a)
Fear that noble refugees from the French Revolution would try to
establish a monarchy in the United States b)
Fear that the French government would use special agents to stir up
violence and rebellion in the United States c)
Fear that editors and politicians loyal to Jefferson would stir up
bad feelings against the Federalists d)
Fear that some Americans might be inspired by the French Revolution
if strong measures were not taken 20. The “Quasi War” was . . . a)
an undeclared navel war with England b)
an undeclared navel war with France c)
an undeclared navel war with Spain d)
a war against the French Canadians 21. Which of the following was NOT a reason for the Quasi War? a)
the Americans wanted to restore King Louis XVI to the French throne b)
the French were angry at the United States for signing a treaty with
England c)
the Americans were angry with
France for their interference with US shipping d)
the Americans were insulted by the French treatment of American
diplomats |
22.
Matthew Lyon was . . . a)
a Federalist Attorney General who enthusiastically prosecuted
“disloyal” Jeffersonians b)
a radical Congressman who conspired with French diplomats against
Adams c)
an outspoken Congressman who was imprisoned for calling John Adams
names d)
an Irish revolutionary who wanted the United States to invade England 23. Benjamin Franklin Bache was . . . a)
imprisoned for celebrating the execution of King Louis XVI b)
imprisoned for being the illegitimate grandson of Benjamin Franklin c)
imprisoned for calling Thomas Jefferson a dangerous atheistic
demagogue d)
imprisoned for calling John Adams “old”, “toothless”, “bald”, and
monarchical 24. The Alien and Sedition Acts were directed against . . . a)
communists, socialists and homosexuals b)
British sympathizers and Tories c)
Immigrants and Jeffersonians d)
Federalist bankers and landowners 25. Today, the Alien and Sedition Acts would be considered . . . a)
the high point of John Adams presidency b)
unconstitutional c)
anti-racist d)
pro-democratic |
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George
Washington was elected president unanimously by the first electoral
vote. Washington’s Vice President, John
Adams, narrowly defeated his Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson in the
presidential election of 1796. Before
the 12th amendment changed the process, the person who received
the second largest number of votes for president became the Vice President. Therefore, Thomas Jefferson became the
second Vice President of the United States.
He defeated the sitting president in the election of 1800, which is
why that election is sometimes called “The Revolution of 1800.” It was the first time that national power
(under the constitution) had peacefully been transferred by elections. Jefferson’s
Secretary of State was James Madison.
Madison, also from Virginia,
had had a long association with the older Jefferson. But Madison was also seen as a man of
accomplishment in his own right. In
fact, James Madison, more than any other individual, deserves the title
“Father of the Constitution” because he did more work than anybody in
drafting the text of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights along with
helping to forge the compromises that allowed the Constitution to be
accepted. Madison is also one of the
most important authors of the Federalist Papers, which were persuasive essays
that argued that the Constitution be ratified. Jefferson’s Vice President was Aaron Burr who was not only
sought for the murder of Alexander Hamilton whom he killed in a duel, but was
also tried for treason when he was accused of planning a military adventure
to separate some western states and territories from the Union. Madison
followed Jefferson into the White House.
His Secretary of State was another Virginian, James Monroe. When James Monroe became president there
were rumblings about a “Virginia Junto” that seemed to be dominating the
presidency. Perhaps that is why
Monroe chose John Quincy Adams, the son of the former President Adams to be
his Secretary of State. John Quincy
Adams was the next to be elected president, but the election of 1824 was an
extremely bitter one. His opponent,
Andrew Jackson, spent the next four years convincing men that Adams had won
by unfair means. When Andrew Jackson,
a “wild westerner” known as “Old Hickory” was elected in 1828, it was seen as
a new era in American politics and the American presidency. |
Fill in the blanks with information from the text above.
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The first President of the
United States was (26)___________________.
His Vice President was (27)__________________. Washington’s
(28)___________________________was Thomas Jefferson. The second President of
the United States was (29)______________________. His Vice President was
(30)________________________. The third President of the
United States was (31)_____________________ . The fourth president of the United States was
(32)__________________. The fifth president of the United States was (33)_____________________. These presidents were all from the state
of (34)____________________. The sixth President of the
United States was (35)_________________, a New Englander, who served only one
term before being defeated by the westerner, (36)____________________ who
served two terms before being followed into the White House by his Vice
President and chief political strategist, Martin Van Buren from New York. |