Who were the main figures behind the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions?

The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts enacted in 1798. These resolutions argued that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, a principle that would later become a significant aspect of states' rights debates in American history.

Jefferson, as the principal author of the Kentucky Resolution, articulated his vision of a limited federal government and the sovereignty of the states. Madison, meanwhile, wrote the Virginia Resolution, which expressed similar sentiments. The resolutions signaled a growing tension between federal authority and state rights. They were particularly important as they set the stage for future discussions concerning the balance of power in the United States, especially regarding opposition to perceived overreach by the federal government.

The other options mentioned figures who played significant roles in American history but were not involved in drafting these specific resolutions. Hamilton and Adams were known for their Federalist views, advocating for a stronger central government, while Washington and Franklin were foundational figures in the independence movement, and Jay and Marshall were later prominent figures in shaping the judiciary and federalism. Each of these individuals contributed to the political landscape of the time but did not directly influence the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions.