Founding Brothers Lesson Plan

The Alien and Sedition Acts and the Constitution

Kind of Activity:

Group Work

Objective:

The analyze the constitutionality of the Alien and Sedition Acts

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.8, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.4

Structure:

Divide the class into four groups and assign each one of the Alien and Sedition Acts:

• The Naturalization Act
• The Alien Friends Act
• The Alien Enemies Act
• The Sedition Act

Each group should prepare a brief presentation in which they summarize and discuss their thoughts on the constitutionality of their assigned act. Their presentations should take a strong stance on whether or not their act is constitutional, grounded in...