jan 2, 1798 - Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

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These two resolutions were passed by the state legislatures of Virginia and Kentucky in opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts. The resolutions both argued that the Acts were created outside of their power explicitly stated in the constitution. The Kentucky resolution, in particular, proposed the idea that states should be able to nullify acts of the federal government.

The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions did not take power away simply by opposing the Alien and Sedition Acts, but because they prevented Congress from breaking the 10th Amendment. It also exposed the idea of nullification, which would be attempted several times later in American history.

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