Liberty's First Crisis: Adams, Jefferson, and the Misfits Who Saved Free Speech

Free Speech & Election Law Practice Group Teleforum

When the United States government passed the Bill of Rights in 1791, its uncompromising protection of speech and of the press were unlike anything the world had ever seen before. But by 1798, the once-dazzling young republic of the United States was on the verge of collapse: Partisanship gripped the weak federal government, British seizures threatened American goods and men on the high seas, and war with France seemed imminent as its own democratic revolution deteriorated into terror. Suddenly, the First Amendment, which protected harsh commentary of the weak government, no longer seemed as practical. So that July, President John Adams and the Federalists in control of Congress passed an extreme piece of legislation that made criticism of the government and its leaders a crime punishable by heavy fines and jail time. Liberty’s First Crisis tells the story of the 1798 Sedition Act, the crucial moment when high ideals met real-world politics and the country’s future hung in the balance. Author Charles Slack will discuss his latest book and answer questions from the audience.

• Charles Slack, Author, Liberty's First Crisis: Adams, Jefferson, and the Misfits Who Saved Free Speech
• Stephen Klein, Attorney, Pillar of Law Institute

When the United States government passed the Bill of Rights in 1791, its uncompromising protection of speech and of the press were unlike anything the world had ever seen before. But by 1798, the once-dazzling young republic of the United States was on the verge of collapse: Partisanship gripped the weak federal government, British seizures threatened American goods and men on the high seas, and war with France seemed imminent as its own democratic revolution deteriorated into terror. Suddenly, the First Amendment, which protected harsh commentary of the weak government, no longer seemed as practical. So that July, President John Adams and the Federalists in control of Congress passed an extreme piece of legislation that made criticism of the government and its leaders a crime punishable by heavy fines and jail time. Liberty’s First Crisis tells the story of the 1798 Sedition Act, the crucial moment when high ideals met real-world politics and the country’s future hung in the balance. Author Charles Slack will discuss his latest book and answer questions from the audience.

• Charles Slack, Author, Liberty's First Crisis: Adams, Jefferson, and the Misfits Who Saved Free Speech
• Stephen Klein, Attorney, Pillar of Law Institute

Call begins at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

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