Sedition Act

1) The Sedition Act was established in 1798. It was created to control pro-French troublemakers by forbidding criticism of the federal government. The Sedition Act was meant to curb freedom of speech, but the government took it too far. They arrested many people for minor situations. The Sedition Act was never brought before the Supreme Court and in 1801 the Sedition Act was expired. When Jefferson was elected he pardoned all the people that were convicted when Adams and the Sedition Act were in term. After the Sedition Act the government tried many things to regulate freedom of speech, such as the Espionage Act
2) The Sedition Act was unconstitutional and constitutional. The Sedition Act was unconstitutional because went beyond protecting the government because it went against everything that was "'false, scandalous, or malicious"' or against the government. People who did nothing wrong, except speak their minds, were arrested.The Government arrested

twenty-five citizens under the Sedition Act. One man was found guilty for saying that he wished that a cannon would fire in a salute to President Adams and would hit him in the seat of his pants. It is was constitutional because, some people needed to be stopped, the people who caused danger to the US.

3) The Freedom of Speech is a right granted to American citizens, but many people take advantage of it. The freedom of speech not only deals with a persons choose of word it deals with their actions and the decisions they make while presenting their thoughts, but, right to free speech needs to be limited during wartime and threats against America. If it is not limited people can say what they want such as; hurtful or fighting words, threats, and limiting what people can say to the military.

4) The Government might limit freedom of the press or speech during peacetime, so people do not offend military and families of the military. If a military group comes back people could riot and say how they felt about the war, and that could cause, "Clear and present danger" and the government has to stop it before something happens.

Religion and the Pledge

1) "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The pledge has been recited for many years. The pledge shows patriotism and loyalty for the United States of America. The pledge shows symbolism for our flag, which in turn represents what this country was built and founded upon, freedom. The words "under god" were added in 1952 when the Knights of Columbus thought that it would be a good addition, because it was used in Lincoln's, Gettysburg Address.

2) The Ninth Circuit did not rehear the case because they felt that it was a patriotic act and not a religious act. The pledge was not only made to show their loyalty to God, but mainly to show loyalty to America. They agreed with the Supreme Court in the fact that the pledge is not unconstitutional.

3) The first amendment is what started the controversy. The first amendment grants the rights of freedom of speech and religion. Some people believe that using "under god" in the pledge goes against their freedom as a citizen. Using "under god" is mainly based on the Christan religion so other religions are offended.

4) Some say that using "Under God" in the pledge of allegiance is a patriotic act that has been here for 111 years. Others say that there children were "injured" by being forced to listen to the teachers recite the pledge of allegiance. The congress say that if it is unconstitutional to say "Under God" in the pledge, then it is unconstitutional to read the Constitution or the Gettysburg Address, because it is listed in both of them.

5) "Our Board of Education believes strongly that our students should be allowed to recite the Pledge. We are proud to defend the pledge of Allegiance." I agree with this statement. All Americans should be proud to recite the pledge. The pledge is a patriotic thing, we should all take time to show our loyalty for our country.