what was the main goal of the virginia and kentucky resolutions
1 answer
The main goal of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions was to challenge the federal government's power and authority over the states. These documents, written by James Madison (Virginia Resolution) and Thomas Jefferson (Kentucky Resolution) in 1798 and 1799 respectively, asserted the states' rights to nullify or resist federal laws that they deemed unconstitutional. The resolutions were a response to the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts by the federal government, which were seen as an overreach of power and a threat to individual liberties. The primary aim was to strengthen state powers and limit the authority of the federal government.