USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Jefferson gradually assumed leadership of the Republicans, who sympathized with the revolutionary cause in France. Attacking Federalist policies, he opposed a strong centralized Government and championed the rights of states.

Detailed explanation-2: -Jefferson also felt that the central government should be “rigorously frugal and simple.” As president he reduced the size and scope of the federal government by ending internal taxes, reducing the size of the army and navy, and paying off the government’s debt.

Detailed explanation-3: -He wanted a government that would respect the authority of individual states, operate with a smaller bureaucracy, and cut its debts. Jefferson also felt that the country should eliminate Hamilton’s standing army by relying on a “disciplined militia” for national defense against invasion.

Detailed explanation-4: -Jefferson claimed that the generations of people in the future should not be bound to the opinions of people who came before them, and thus that the Constitution should be amended if it is unable to address the needs of people at any given time.