Why did the sedition acts go against the first amendment?

The Sedition Acts, particularly the Alien and Sedition Act of 1798, were seen as violations of the First Amendment because they criminalized speech and actions deemed critical of the government. The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition the government, emphasizing the importance of free speech. By punishing dissent and criticism, the Sedition Acts effectively suppressed political opposition and restricted the public's ability to express their views, contradicting the core principles of free expression enshrined in the Constitution.