Question

Which of the following was one of Jefferson’s first presidential actions?

A. To release anyone jailed by the Sedition Act

B. To repeal the Alien Act

C. To dismiss all Federalist officeholders

D. To dismantle the Bank of the United States

Answer 1

Jefferson fired many of the Federalist officeholders. He believed in small government.

Explanation: Jefferson was a Republican. He believed in a small government and the primacy of the people as the decision makers in the state.

Answer 2

The correct answer is A) to release anyone jailed by the Sedition Act.

One of Jefferson’s first presidential actions was to release anyone jailed by the Sedition Act.

The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by the Federalist Congress in 1798 and signed by President John Adams. Under these acts, the government had new faculties to deport immigrants and impede immigrants to vote. But then, Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams in the following elections and one of his first presidential actions was to release anyone jailed by the Sedition Act.