Author Question: When Republicans took office in 1800, what was their central goal? What will be an ideal response? (Read 202 times)

jayhills49 · **on:** Sep 12, 2019

Question 1

Explain how Jefferson believed that agrarianism would promote democracy.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

When Republicans took office in 1800, what was their central goal?

What will be an ideal response?

steff9894 · **Reply #1 on:** Sep 12, 2019

Answer 1

ANSWER: Jefferson's ideal of the yeoman farmer went beyond simple economic theory. Students should recognize that Jefferson saw industrialization as a threat to individual liberty. Good students should be able to point to Jefferson's belief that urbanization and overpopulation created corruption in Europe. They will also call attention to his fear that industrialization would increase the share of wealth held by small numbers of people. Finally, students should illustrate how his commitment to free trade prevented government from favoring a small elite in society.

Answer 2

ANSWER: The Republicans primarily sought the reduction of swollen governmental power. They equated this goal with the Revolution of 1776, so they were committed to limited government. They wanted to cut the size of the federal bureaucracy and the military establishment. They achieved these objectives by reducing the public debt and replacing Federalist officeholders with Republicans. By the end of Jefferson's presidency, power had shifted from the executive to Congress, which was riddled by factionalism.