The Alien and Sedition Acts were primarily aimed at which group?

The Alien and Sedition Acts were primarily aimed at foreign immigrants, particularly those who were seen as a threat to the national security and political stability of the United States during a time of heightened tensions, especially related to France in the late 1790s. These laws were enacted in 1798 and included measures that made it more difficult for immigrants to become citizens, allowing for the deportation of those deemed "dangerous" and restricting free speech, particularly against the government.

The motivation behind these laws was to suppress opposition and manage the growing fears of radicalism stemming from the French Revolution, leading to suspicions about immigrants who might have loyalties to foreign governments. This context explains the focus on foreign nationals rather than American citizens, Revolutionary War veterans, or general political dissenters. While dissenters may have been affected, the primary target was indeed those who were not citizens, viewed through the lens of national security concerns at that moment in U.S. history.