The resolutions argued that the federal government had no authority to exercise power not specifically delegated to it in the Constitution. The Kentucky Resolutions, authored by Jefferson, went further than Madison’s Virginia Resolution and asserted that states had the power to nullify unconstitutional federal laws.

The resolutions opposed the federal Alien and Sedition Acts, which extended the powers of the federal government. They argued that the Constitution was a “compact” or agreement among the states. If the federal government assumed such powers, its acts could be declared unconstitutional by the states.

When: Kentucky Resolutions 1798-1799, Virginia Resolution 1798 Where: Virginia and Kentucky Significance: These documents written by James Madison (Virginia) and Thomas Jefferson (Kentucky) supported the idea of having more self government and more rights for states.

What two principles did the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions help to establish? They stated that Alien and Sedition acts were unconstitutional. They declared that states had the rights to declare laws passed by congress to be unconstitutional.

The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions were responding to the Alien Acts and the Sedition Act, which were unconstitutional. Jefferson’s proposed remedy to this was to approve a series of legislation that stressed the “Compact Theory”.

Virginia, fearing that she would soon be obliged to give up Kentucky, lost interest in governing and protecting that region. Realizing this, Indians of various tribes invaded Kentucky in numerous groups, killing settlers and burning their homes. The whites were powerless to defend themselves.

Although Jefferson had good intentions, he clearly violated the Constitution by abusing his position as executive of the U.S. In another situation, Jefferson pushed the limits of presidential power by passing the Embargo Act of 1807. Clearly, Jefferson exercised massive federal power to achieve his political goals.

The chosen response, the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, was especially controversial because of Jefferson’s claim that states could “nullify” federal action which they believed to be unconstitutional (although that term was deleted from the final version of the resolutions adopted in Kentucky) and Madison’s claim …

What did the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions declare? It was a secret resolution made by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. It stated that the Alien and Sedition Acts violated the constitution and that the states could nullify any federal laws that were unconstitutional.

As a result, a Federalist-controlled Congress passed four laws, known collectively as the Alien and Sedition Acts. These laws raised the residency requirements for citizenship from 5 to 14 years, authorized the President to deport aliens and permitted their arrest, imprisonment, and deportation during wartime.

Terms in this set (9) Increased the time required to become a U.S. citizen from 5 to 14 years. Allowed U.S. government to arrest and deport all aliens who are citizens of countries that are at war with the U.S.

The Alien and Sedition Acts were a series of four laws passed by the U.S. Congress in 1798 amid widespread fear that war with France was imminent. The four laws–which remain controversial to this day–restricted the activities of foreign residents in the country and limited freedom of speech and of the press.Esfand 15, 1398 AP

It forbade the use of “disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language” about the United States government, its flag, or its armed forces or that caused others to view the American government or its institutions with contempt.

In one of the first tests of freedom of speech, the House passed the Sedition Act, permitting the deportation, fine, or imprisonment of anyone deemed a threat or publishing “false, scandalous, or malicious writing” against the government of the United States. …

Alien and Sedition Acts, (1798), four internal security laws passed by the U.S. Congress, restricting aliens and curtailing the excesses of an unrestrained press, in anticipation of an expected war with France.

The Republican minority in Congress argued that sedition laws violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and the press. The Federalist majority in Congress passed the Sedition Act and President Adams signed it into law on July 14, 1798.

These laws were designed to silence and weaken the Democratic-Republican Party. Negative reaction to the Alien and Sedition Acts helped contribute to the Democratic-Republican victory in the 1800 elections. Congress repealed the Naturalization Act in 1802, while the other acts were allowed to expire.

Resolutions asserted the separation of powers On these bases, Virginia’s resolution, penned by Madison, declared that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional and that measures should be taken by all states to retain their reserved powers.

John Adams’s presidency was marked by conflicts between the two newly-formed political parties: the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. The conflicts between the two political parties centered on foreign policy and the balance of power between the federal government and the states’ governments.

Jefferson did not change the American government, he only changed the government’s policies. By now we are used to that improbable blend of change and continuity, having managed it for 200 years.

John Adams / John Adams – Key Events

• March 4, 1797. Inauguration.
• May 15, 1797. Special session.
• May 19, 1797. Negotiating with France.
• June 24, 1797. Making a militia.
• October 18, 1797. XYZ Affair.
• January 8, 1798. The Eleventh Amendment.
• April 3, 1798. XYZ Affair exposed.
• April 7, 1798. Mississippi Territory.