What was the collective name of the acts passed by Congress in 1798 to protect the United States from foreign threats?

The correct answer is the Alien and Sedition Acts. These were a series of laws enacted by Congress in 1798 during a time of heightened tensions between the United States and France, known as the Quasi-War. The purpose of these acts was to strengthen national security and mitigate the fear of foreign influence and dissent. The Alien Acts allowed the President to detain or deport non-citizens deemed dangerous, while the Sedition Act made it a crime to publish false or malicious statements against the government or its officials, which was aimed at suppressing criticism and maintaining public order. These acts reflected the Federalist Party's concerns about the potential impact of foreign nationals and domestic opposition in a young nation faced with political divisions.

The other options refer to different pieces of legislation that served distinct purposes in American history. The Navigation Acts primarily regulated trade between England and its colonies, the Townshend Acts imposed duties on imported goods, and the Stamp Acts were designed to raise revenue by taxing printed materials. Each of these acts had significant consequences, but none were aimed specifically at addressing foreign threats in the same way that the Alien and Sedition Acts were.