The Gullification Of Virginia And Kentucky Resolutions

A state resolution passed in 1798. Written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in 1798 and 1799 declaring the Alien and Sedition Acts unconstitutional, the resolution supported the idea of having more self government and more rights for states. Opposing the Alien and Sedition Acts which extended the powers of the federal national. The resolution hinted that states had the power to nullify federal laws that were

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation is a nonfiction historical novel written by Joseph J. Ellis. The context of the book includes many historical aspects of The United States. It describes the “Founding Fathers” (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Aaron Burr) and how their actions led to the setting of the foundation of The United States. In addition, it talks about the events that occurred during and after the American Revolution and the arguments and battles between famous politicians. The thesis of this novel contains two main points: how the revolutionary war may not have been easy, but forming and maintaining a young democracy was much more daunting, and

Nullification was a controversial constitutional theory started by John C. Calhoun. He came up with the idea because he believed the tariff of 1816 was responsible for fall of South Carolinas economy. When in fact it was the exhausted farm land in the state which had caused the downfall. With his future political dreams resting on how he met this challenge in his home state he developed the theory of nullification. The theory stated that a state can suspend, within its boundaries, a federal law that was thought to be unconstitutional.

11) The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions set forth a states’ rights interpretation of the constitution, saying that the states had the right to judge the legitimacy of national laws. The documents were written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The resolutions opposed the alien act, the deportation of foreigners, and the sedation act, which prohibited publication of insults on the president or members of congress. Republicans argued that the sedation act violated the first amendment, such as the freedom of speech and press. The documents argued that the federal government had no right to impose powers not specifically granted to them and if the federal government imposed these powers, acts under them would in turn be null and void.

The Sedition Act had gotten Democratic-Republicans angered, they saw this law as a threat towards the citizens. The act violated Democratic-Republicans of the Federalists policies and they believed that the guarantee of freedom of speech had been taken away from them. Democratic-Republicans passed the Virginia and Kentucky Resolution, this policy declared that the Alien and Sedition Act not valid. “They protested against the “alarming infractions of the Constitution,” particularly the freedom of speech that “has been justly deemed, the only effectual guardian of every other right.” Virginia even claimed that states had a right to nullify any powers exercised by the federal government that were not explicitly granted to it” (Lewis and Hewitt 230).

Calhoun drafted south carolina exposition and protest responding to the tariff, saying Congress shouldn’t favor one state/ region over another. Calhoun using protest advancing states’ rights doctrine, saying since states had formed national government, that state power was greater than federal power. Believing state's right to nullify, or to reject any federal law that judging to be

“By the last years of the 1790s, the prospect of war with France and Federalist security measures such as the Alien and Sedition Acts brought the nation to the brink of political upheaval” (Nash, p. 214-215). The acts were controversial and leads into a political debate. The Kentucky assembly stated that the acts violated the Bill of Rights. They wanted to get rid of Federal laws, however, this was not the first time they have done this action. People believed that the acts were unconstitutional and unfair.

In the late 1700’s, it was America’s goal to create a republic that had a representative government that was based upon the approval of the people. Unfortunately, the people feared a strong central government because of the previous trouble the colonies had when they were ruled by Britain. They were always being unfairly taxed and had very few rights. In order to avoid this, a very weak government was developed that seemed to satisfy the people, but would not satisfy the well being of the country. It wasn’t until Shay’s rebellion which brought light to the fact that the Articles of Confederation were not going to cut it, so the Constitutional Convention was created and convened to find an alternative solution which was the creation of the Constitution.

The Federalist Papers The Federalist papers consists of 85 essays written in the late 1780s by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. The three authors published it in New York newspapers under the name “Publius” to persuade its citizens to ratify the new U.S constitution. These essays argued in support for the ratification of the new U.S constitution by __________________________________. There are 3 well known federalist papers which are no. 10, no. 45 and no. 51.

What led to the rise of the political parties in America from 1789-1799? The period of time in which the revolutionary war, US bank arguments, and the US debt happened. Also with the rise of the political parties, this all, is sending the US into a national crisis.

One rule in the document was that there was that all states agree on a law before it gets amended. The event in which all states would agree is an anomaly. Another part related to the articles was that “sovereignty resided in the states”. This was

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Kentucky Resolution agreed with what Madison said in the Virginia Resolution on the fact that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. Jefferson also thought that measures are needed to address this situation. His suggestion was to allow States to nullify laws. If they nullified laws, they are essentially getting rid of laws enforced by Congress that they feel are unconstitutional. Nothing was really done to address the Alien and Sedition Acts until Thomas Jefferson was elected President in 1801.

Tensions between Jackson and Calhoun grew very tense which started the Nullification Crisis. Calhoun along with the state of South Carolina fought Jackson over the national tax policy. Jackson fought back with the threats to remove South Carolina from the union. In result "Privately, however, Jackson supported the idea of compromise and allowed his political enemy Henry Clay to broker a solution with Calhoun. Congress passed a compromise bill that slowly lowered federal tariff rates.

When Congress issued tariffs on foreign goods, Southerners believed that Congress favored the North since this tariff would benefit them. John Randolph spoke of this issue, arguing that Congress was being unfair since the South was not benefiting from the actions of Congress at all while the North benefited (Doc A). As for political conflict, there was a clear case of factionalism and political rivalry in 1824 (Doc I). With these conflicts amongst the varying factions and political parties, the political tension and sectionalism within America continued to grow. Accusations and anger from the South further separated them from the North, which did not contribute “good feelings” to the country at

“The lack of… nationality, I believe, is one of the great evils of the times…” Senator John Sherman stated on February 10, 1863. The United States had been split into sections from the beginning, and it created a lack of unity and togetherness. In Document A, the reader can acquire from the reading that South Carolina (and later many other states) seceded from the Union because of states’ rights. Document A states that an amendment (specifically the