Answer:
The Alien and sedition acts gave the federal government effective authority yo stifle any public criticism, and were aggressively used by the Adams administration to that effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1798 president Adams responded to the French war threat by passing the Alien and Sedition acts, which prohibited any form of manifestation against the Federal government. This was done in order to secure the liberties of all Americans against any foreign threats. However, there was an internal tension which could escalate to civil war between the Federalists and the democrats, because the latter garnered non- native supporters. the Adams administration decided to take control and prohibit any form of public opposition to the federalist government in terms of internal and foreign policy or any other grievance.