Final answer:
The Alien Sedition Acts of 1798 were enacted in response to the threat of war with France during the Quasi-War, specifically targeting French immigrants and those critical of the U.S. government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Alien Sedition Acts of 1798 were a series of laws passed during the presidency of John Adams, in the context of the undeclared naval war with France, known as the Quasi-War. The acts were designed to strengthen national security but are also noted for suppressing voices of opposition to the Federalist Party. Specifically, they were a reaction to the threat of war with France, not with Britain, Spain, or Mexico. Among the acts, the Alien Friends Act allowed for the deportation of any alien deemed dangerous during peacetime, and the Alien Enemies Act allowed for actions against citizens of a hostile nation in times of war. The Sedition Act targeted those who spoke or wrote against the U.S. government, with penalties including imprisonment and fines.
In the context of the XYZ Affair, which escalated tensions with France, the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed. The threat perceived from France extended to French immigrants in the United States, who were suspected of harboring loyalty to their native country, potentially intimidating Federalists. The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were responses by those opposed to the acts, arguing for the rights of states.