Question

the jefferson administration advocated which of the following changes as a means of restoring republican ideals?
a abolishing the bank of the united states
b reducing the scope of activities of the federal government
c discontinuing the funding of state debts
d increasing the size of the united states military
e adopting the kentucky and virginia resolutions at the national level

Explanation:

Thomas Jefferson and his followers (Democratic - Republicans) believed in a more limited federal government. They saw the Federalist - era expansion of the federal government's role as a threat to republican ideals (which emphasized limited government, agrarianism, and individual liberties).

• Option A: While Jefferson was critical of the Bank of the United States, abolishing it was not the central means of restoring republican ideals in his administration's view. The Bank was seen as a symbol of Federalist - style over - centralization, but reducing the federal government's scope was a broader goal.
• Option B: Reducing the scope of federal government activities was a key tenet. Jefferson wanted to roll back what he saw as Federalist overreach. For example, he reduced the size of the military (contradicts Option D), cut internal taxes (which were seen as a Federalist tool of government expansion), and tried to limit the federal bureaucracy.
• Option C: The funding of state debts (by the federal government) was a Hamiltonian (Federalist) measure. But discontinuing it was not the main way Jefferson aimed to restore republican ideals. His focus was more on the overall size and power of the federal government.
• Option D: Jefferson actually reduced the size of the military. A large standing army was seen by Jeffersonians as a potential threat to liberty (a common anti - Federalist and Jeffersonian view), as it could be used by a tyrannical government.
• Option E: The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were a means of states' resistance (written by Jefferson and Madison in opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts). But adopting them at the national level was not a goal of Jefferson's administration. His focus was on federal government retrenchment, not on national - level adoption of these state - centered resistance documents.

Answer:

B. Reducing the scope of activities of the federal government