Which of these first actions taken by Jefferson does not reflect his belief in the need to reduce the power of the government?
a
the elimination of the whiskey tax
b
the cutting of spending
c
the reduction in size of the U.S. Army
d
the purchase of the Louisiana Territory
Which of those choices has nothing to do with “the need to reduce”? What is the opposite of “reduce”?
The correct answer is d) the purchase of the Louisiana Territory. This action actually reflects Jefferson's belief in expanding the power of the federal government, as it was a significant land acquisition that brought new territories under the control of the United States. Jefferson believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution and reducing the power of the federal government, so the purchase of the Louisiana Territory was inconsistent with this belief.
To determine which of these first actions taken by Jefferson does not reflect his belief in the need to reduce the power of the government, you would need to analyze each action and assess whether it aligns with a reduction in government power.
a) The elimination of the whiskey tax: This action does reflect Jefferson's belief in reducing government power. The whiskey tax had been a source of controversy and opposition, and eliminating it can be seen as reducing government interference in the economy.
b) The cutting of spending: Cutting spending is generally associated with reducing government power. By limiting the amount of money the government spends, it reduces its influence and control over various sectors of society.
c) The reduction in size of the U.S. Army: This action also reflects Jefferson's belief in reducing government power. By scaling back the military, Jefferson was aiming to avoid any unnecessary militarization or expansion of the military-industrial complex.
d) The purchase of the Louisiana Territory: This action, while it may seem counterintuitive, can be seen as reflecting Jefferson's belief in expanding the power of the government. The Louisiana Purchase was a significant territorial acquisition, which led to the expansion of the United States, ultimately strengthening the federal government's control and influence.
Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that all of the actions taken by Jefferson mentioned above reflect his belief in the need to reduce the power of the government.