Reading the Kentucky Resolution: Who Determines the Constitutionality of Laws?

Dive into some of the most important speeches and documents from United States history. These videos dissect these documents, define key terms, and explore the lasting impact of the featured documents.

Who determines the constitutionality of laws? In part two of a two-part series, Kirk continues his examination of the Kentucky Resolution by Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Resolution by James Madison. What did the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions claim? Follow our breakdown of the Virginia Resolution into easy-to-understand concepts. As you listen, analyze the fundamental questions. Should individual states have the power to challenge federal laws and declare them unconstitutional? How did the ideals of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions impact the US Constitution? Primary Source Close Reading with BRI investigates some of the most pivotal speeches and documents that made America. In this series, join BRI staff Kirk Higgins and guests as they dissect how seminal documents, court cases, and speeches forged America’s development and impact our lives today.

These resolutions were passed by the legislatures of Kentucky and Virginia in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 and were authored by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, respectively. The resolutions argued that the federal government had no authority to exercise power not specifically delegated to it in the Constitution.

Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.