Final answer:
The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were political statements that asserted the rights of states to judge the constitutionality of federal laws and declare them null if found unconstitutional. They were drafted in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts and provided propaganda for Republicans in the 1800 presidential election. These resolutions continue to be relevant in discussions about states' rights and nullification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were political statements drafted secretly by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. These resolutions asserted that states had the right to judge the constitutionality of Acts of Congress and could declare them null if found unconstitutional. The resolutions also introduced the idea of nullification and advanced the argument of states' rights.
While the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions did not change the prevailing notions about the relationship between the federal government and the states at the time, they served as important pieces of political propaganda for Republicans in the upcoming presidential election of 1800. These resolutions continue to be supported by states' rights advocates and have been cited in debates over the merits of nullification and secession.