1. What events led up to passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts?
2. Does it seem to you that in time of national emergency, such as the one described in this chapter, that some limits must be placed on freedom of speech? Do you think the Sedition Act, with its emphasis on false, scandalous, and malicious writings or speeches against members of the government, went too far in the direction of limiting freedom of speech guarantees in the First Amendment to the Constitution.
3. Do you think that Mathew Lyons should be convicted under the Sedition Act, or do you think his case just shows that the Federalists were out to prevent political opponents from expressing their views?