Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (or Resolves), also known as the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, were a written protest against the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Resolutions were passed by the state legislatures of Kentucky and Virginia in response to the acts passed by Congress in 1798, under the control of the Federalist Party, during the Presidency of John Adams. Adams was also a member of the Federalist Party.
The acts were passed during a time when the United States was still a new republic and political parties were still relatively new. It was also a time when tension with France was high due to a political scandal known as the XYZ Affair. The scandal contributed to the Quasi-War, which was an undeclared naval war with France that lasted from 1798 to 1800. The acts targeted aliens — or foreigners — and people who openly criticized President Adams and his administration.
- The Kentucky Resolutions 1798
- The Virginia Resolutions of 1798
- The Kentucky Resolutions 1799
- James Madison’s Report On The Virginia Resolutions-1800
- James Madison Notes On Nullification 1834