New Nation (1780s-1790s)

1. Background
   
   1. Problems with Constitutional Congress
   2. Constitutional Debate
      1. Anti-Federalists: weak central govt., power reserved for states-- Thomas Jefferson
      2. Federalists: strong central govt.--Alexander Hamilton
   3. Federalist Papers: series of essays by Federalists arguing for support of the Constitution.
   
   
2. First Amendment

   A. Interpretations

   1. no restrictions on press
   2. Blackstone interpretation
   3. statement of state's rights
   
   
3. Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798
   
   1. series of four laws that:
      1. gave power to deport aliens
      2. established seditious libel
         • truth as a defense
   2. Partisan bill aimed at Jefferson
   3. Legacy of acts
      1. became major issue in 1800 election
      2. established truth as defense in libel
   
   
4. Early Partisan Press
   
   1. Nature and role of the press
   2. Financial support-govt. patronage
      1. Gazette of the United States-- Federalist paper
      2. National Gazette-- Anti-Federalist
   3. Personal journalism
      1. Philadelphia Aurora
      2. Porcupine's Gazette
   4. Press in 1800 election
   
   
5. Croswell case (1804)
   1. states recognized truth as defense in libel