Final answer:
The Virginia Resolution, written by James Madison, underscores states' rights to deem federal laws constitutional or not, reflecting sentiments of independence and self-governance during an era when U.S. territorial expansion was a strategic focus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Virginia Resolution, authored by James Madison, was part of the broader response against the Alien and Sedition Acts and was seen as an assertion of states' rights. It emphasized the idea that the states had the right to judge the constitutionality of federal laws, which was a significant step towards states exerting more power and autonomy within the union. Although this resolution did not directly advocate for territorial expansion, its emphasis on states' rights underlines an aspect of political thought during an era when territorial expansion, as seen in Jefferson's policies, was a critical aspect of the nation's development. The resonance with the notion of a second war of independence stems from a broader desire for autonomy and the ability to govern without heavy-handed federal oversight, a sentiment that also paralleled desires to expand westward and develop the country's territory.