Question

Why did Thomas Jefferson turn to nullification in an effort to right the wrongs of the Alien and Sedition Acts?
(1 point)
• The Federalists controlled the courts.
• He had significant influence over the states.
• He believed the states were meant to control the federal government.
• The states had the same right of judicial review as the Supreme Court.

Answer 1

He believed the states were meant to control the federal government.

Jefferson (and Madison) argued a compact theory of the Constitution: states could interpose/nullify federal laws they judged unconstitutional because the federal government’s powers were limited and derived from the states.