Question

The Sedition Act intended to protect whom or what against negative speech and writing:

A. Native American tribes
B. Religious minorities
C. Federal government and its officials
D. Foreign diplomats

Answer 1

The Sedition Act was intended to protect the Federal government and its officials from negative discourse; however, its primary use was to suppress political opposition, particularly from the Democratic-Republican Party. The correct option is C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Sedition Act was a piece of legislation that was drafted and passed by the Federalist-dominated Congress in 1798. It intended to protect the Federal government and its officials against negative speech and writing, specifically aiming to stifle dissent and political opposition by making it a crime to impede the operation of any law or to speak, write, or publish any libelous content against the government, its Congress, or the President.

Ostensibly designed to safeguard national security during the Quasi-War with France, the Sedition Act actually served to smother political opposition primarily targeting the Democratic-Republican Party, which was opposed to the Federalist policies.