Which act prohibited making false statements that were critical of the federal government?

The Sedition Act is indeed the correct answer as it specifically targeted the act of making false statements that were deemed critical of the federal government. Enacted in 1798 during a time of heightened political tension, the Sedition Act made it a crime to publish or say anything false or malicious against the United States government, its officials, or the President. This legislation aimed to suppress dissent and control the narrative surrounding the government, reflecting the pressures of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican party conflicts during that era.

In contrast, the other acts mentioned address different issues. The Homestead Act facilitated the acquisition of land for settlers. The Alien Friends Act allowed for the deportation of certain non-citizens; however, it did not specifically address false statements. The Naturalization Act dealt with the process of becoming a U.S. citizen and did not have provisions related to freedom of speech or sedition. Each of these acts serves a distinct purpose, but only the Sedition Act directly targeted the issue of making critical statements about the federal government.