USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -His belief was supported by the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, which states that the powers not specifically given to the federal government belong “to the states respectively, or to the people.” This narrow, or “strict, ” interpretation of the Constitution clearly limited the power of the federal government.

Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -As he did throughout his life, Jefferson strongly believed that every American should have the right to prevent the government from infringing on the liberties of its citizens. Certain liberties, including those of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition, should be sacred to everyone.

Detailed explanation-4: -He wrote in 1803, “The General Government has no powers but such as the Constitution gives it… it has not given it power of holding foreign territory, and still less of incorporating it into the Union. An amendment of the Constitution seems necessary for this.”

Detailed explanation-5: -Jefferson advocated a decentralized agrarian republic. He recognized the value of a strong central government in foreign relations, but he did not want it strong in other respects.