Final answer:
The acquisition of the Louisiana Territory challenged Jefferson's political philosophy on strict interpretation of the Constitution, limited government, and states' rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jefferson's Political Philosophy and the Louisiana Territory Acquisition
Jefferson's political philosophy was centered around the principles of limited government and strict construction of the Constitution. However, the acquisition and exploration of the Louisiana Territory challenged his political philosophy in several ways.
- Jefferson goes against his strict interpretation of the Constitution: The Constitution did not explicitly grant the President the power to acquire new territory. However, Jefferson made the decision to pursue the Louisiana Purchase without obtaining a constitutional amendment, thus stretching the limits of his strict interpretation.
- Jefferson goes against his philosophy of limited government: The acquisition of a large territory like Louisiana required the establishment of government institutions, raising concerns about the expansion of government power, which went against Jefferson's belief in limited government.
- Jefferson goes against his philosophy of states' rights: The acquisition of the Louisiana Territory brought new land under federal control, reducing the power of individual states and infringing on their rights, contradicting Jefferson's emphasis on states' rights.
Therefore, the correct answer is C. Jefferson goes against his strict interpretation of the Constitution.
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