Curated OER
Consequences of the Sedition Act
Students research and discuss the consequences of the Sedition Act. They illustrate the difficulty of balancing security needs and personal freedom using an example from John Adams's presidency.
Curated OER
World War I - America on the Homefront: The Poster War
American propaganda shaped the perspective of many citizens during WWI. Here is an amazing presentation full of dozens of war-time poster examples and facts about what those posters were promoting. This would be a great discussion...
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson on the Sedition Act
Young scholars research and cite arguments Jefferson used in objecting to the Sedition Act. They discuss Jefferson's opinion on how constitutional questions about the Sedition Act could be resolved.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 2: The Debate in Congress on the Sedition Act
Pupils research and discuss the provisions in the Constitution that supported the arguments for and against the Sedition Act. They articulate objections to and arguments in favor of the Sedition Act.
Curated OER
From the President's Lips: The Concerns that Led to the Sedition (and Alien) Act
High schoolers research and briefly summarize the international situation during John Adams's presidency. They list the concerns that led to the Sedition Act and describe it.
Curated OER
George Washington on the Sedition Act
Students investigate the Sedition Act and George Washington's position on the act. In this United States Colonial history lesson, students read about George Washington's position on the Sedition Act. Students then participate in a...
University of Arizona
International Studies Association: Mobilizing Public Support for War
A scholarly look at the use of propaganda to influence American support for World War I once the country entered the fray. Read about the Committee on Public Information, examples of harassment of those not deemed sufficiently patriotic,...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by Congress in 1798 because of feared war with France. This engaging page gives you the opportunity to see a complete copy of the original document and also gives links to a typed transcript,...
Yale University
Avalon Project: Alien and Sedition Acts
This timeline provides links to the texts of the Alien and Sedition Acts, and the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions that protested them.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Balancing Sources
This is from an American history course designed for teachers to enrich their knowledge and their teaching practice. This interactive is a set of nine exercises where teachers evaluate primary resources related to a specific event in...
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Sedition in World War I
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry lesson plan allows students to read anti-war literature from World War I critics...
Digital History
Digital History: Sedition Act and the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions [Pdf]
Read about the foreign policy problems the United States was having at the beginning of the Adams administration. See what led up the the passage of the Sedition Act and some ramifications of it, and the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions...
Digital History
Digital History: James Thomson Callender, Scandalmonger
James Thomson Callender was a little-known journalist whose writings made a big splash in the new American nation. Read about his attacks on political figures, and see what the Sedition Act had to do with his conviction of a crime.
Savvas Learning
Changing Views of Free Speech
An easy to follow flow chart that shows how the idea of freedom of speech has changed throughout the years. Make sure to click on each box of information to get a more in depth description.
Northern Illinois University
Ishs: The Espionage and Sedition Acts of 1917 and 1918 [Pdf]
From the 1994 spring volume of the Illinois Historical Journal comes this interesting and somewhat shocking account of how those who did not agree with the U.S. involvement in World War I were treated. Read how the basic right of freedom...
Raleigh Charter High School
Mrs. Newmark's Page: World War I
Quiz yourself on the United States involvement in World War I.
PBS
American Experience: Espionage and Sedition Acts
As progressive a president as Woodrow Wilson was, when the U.S. joined World War I, he signed legislation that made it a crime to criticize the government. Read about the espionage and sedition acts that were passed and how they were...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: First Amendment
Check out this interactive timeline on first amendment of the United States Constitution.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Archiving Early America: Alien and Sedition Acts
This article from Archiving Early America provides an explanation of the Naturalization, Alien, Alien Enemies and Sedition Acts, shows the original acts and provides transcribed texts of the Alien Enemies and the Sedition Acts.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: United States vs. Thomas Cooper
The information, documents and lessons relating to the United States vs. Thomas Cooper case. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Shmoop University
Shmoop: Progressive Era Politics Timeline
A timeline of Progressive Era legislation with brief descriptions of the laws.