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Why did Jefferson oppose the assumption of the debt

A The war was over and all should be forgiven
B Only a portion of the nation owed the debts
C Northern states had paid their debts and should not have to pay them again
D The debt was so high that the nation could never repay it

1 Answer

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Thomas Jefferson feared the federal assumption of the debt because it seemed like the debt would never be repaid (D).

Jefferson believed the policy proposed by Alexander Hamilton (Funding Act of 1790) would become a threat to the autonomy of the Republic, as public creditors would have interest in the debt never getting repaid in order to always lay their hands on taxpayers' money. Ultimately the Constitution and republican liberties were at risk, he thought.

User Anton Roslov
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