Assignment

In 1789 the Federalists dominated Congress passed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, leading to a conflict between the states and the federal government during the early days of the republic. Aimed at silencing the opposition press and weakening the opposing Democratic-Republican Party, they represent the nation's first constitutional crisis. James Madison and Thomas Jefferson responded with the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. Written to challenge the constitutionality of the Acts, the resolutions set a precedent for the later state's rights position.

INSTRUCTIONS:

This writing assignment will require students to compare and contrast the two Primary Source documents which are linked below.

• Review the relevant content in Chapter 9.

• Read the following documents. Each of the documents is directly linked below, and is also posted on the assignment page. They can also be found atThe Avalon Projectsite.

• Compare and contrast the two documents. Identify similarities and differences between Jefferson's and Madison's arguments.

The Virginia Resolution
The Kentucky Resolution 1798 Draft
The Kentucky Resolution

As you read each Resolution you should consider the following questions and identify the relevant information that answers each one. These questions should be used to analyze and discuss the documents. Students should read both documents pertaining to the Kentucky Resolution, but must base their discussion on the DRAFT version, since it presents all of Jefferson's arguments. All arguments must be supported with evidence from each of the documents.