The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799 in which the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures took the position that the federal Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. The resolutions argued that the states had the right and the duty to declare unconstitutional those acts of Congress that the Constitution did not authorize. In doing so, they argued for states' rights and strict construction of the Constitution. The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions of 1798 were written secretly by Vice President Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, respectively.
Kentucky becomes first state to nullify an act of Congress
The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799 in which the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures took the position that the federal Alien and Sedition Acts...
Historical Significance
The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799 in which the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures took the position that the federal Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional.
Events Before
Albany replaces New York City as the capital of New York
Albany ( AWL-bə-nee) is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York. It is also the county seat of, and the most populous city in, Albany County.
Battle of Cape St. Vincent: British fleet under Admiral Sir John Jervis defeats larger Spanish fleet under Admiral Don J
Battle of Cape St. Vincent: British fleet under Admiral Sir John Jervis defeats larger Spanish fleet under Admiral Don José de Córdoba y Ramos near Cape St. Vincent, Portugal. Captain Horatio Nelson distinguishes himself.
The Last Invasion of Britain, launched by the French during the Revolutionary Wars, begins near Fishguard, Wales
The French Revolutionary Wars (French: Guerres de la Révolution française) were a series of sweeping military conflicts resulting from the French Revolution that lasted from 1792 until 1802.
Bank of England issues first £1 note
The Bank of England, which is now the central bank of the United Kingdom, British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories, has issued banknotes since 1694.
Writer Mary Wollstonecraft marries philosopher and journalist William Godwin
Mary Wollstonecraft (also UK: ; 27 April 1759 – 10 September 1797) was an English writer and philosopher best known for her advocacy of women's rights.
Events After
Politician Henry Clay (21) weds Lucretia Hart in Lexington, Kentucky
Politician Henry Clay (21) weds Lucretia Hart in Lexington, Kentucky
Fur trader and explorer David Thompson (29) marries Metis woman Charlotte Small (13) at Île-à-la-Crosse
Fur trader and explorer David Thompson (29) marries Metis woman Charlotte Small (13) at Île-à-la-Crosse
The Rosetta Stone is found in the Egyptian village of Rosetta by French Captain Pierre-François Bouchard during Napoleon
The Rosetta Stone is found in the Egyptian village of Rosetta by French Captain Pierre-François Bouchard during Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign
Napoleon Bonaparte pulls off a coup and becomes the dictator of France under the title of First Consul
Napoleon Bonaparte pulls off a coup and becomes the dictator of France under the title of First Consul
The metric system is first adopted in France
The metric system is a system of measurement that standardises a set of base units and a nomenclature for describing relatively large and small quantities using decimal-based multiplicative unit...
More from the 1790s
Albany replaces New York City as the capital of New York
Albany ( AWL-bə-nee) is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York. It is also the county seat of, and the most populous city in, Albany County.
Russia appoints first Jewish censor to censor Hebrew books
Russia appoints first Jewish censor to censor Hebrew books
First US President George Washington delivers the first State of the Union address
The 1790 State of the Union Address was the inaugural State of the Union address, delivered by President George Washington to the United States Congress on January 8, 1790, at the Senate Chamber of…
French King Louis XVI sentenced to death by the National Convention during the French Revolution
Louis XVI was the last king of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on November 16, 1798?
- The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799 in which the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures took the position that the federal Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. The resolutions argued that the states had the right and the duty to declare unconstitutional those acts of Congress that the Constitution did not authorize. In doing so, they argued for states' rights and strict construction of the Constitution.
- Why is Kentucky becomes first state to nullify an act of Congress significant?
- The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799 in which the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures took the position that the federal Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional.