Final answer:
Jefferson reduced the government's size by cutting military spending, repealing unnecessary taxes, promoting agriculture, and selling public land in small lots. His efforts were rooted in his belief in limited government intervention and an agrarian-based society, though he did support essential military education at West Point and engaged in military action when needed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Jefferson aimed to reduce the size of the government during his presidency. His approach was guided by his belief in a small government that afforded more freedom to the people.
To achieve this, Jefferson reduced military expenditure significantly, repealing the Direct Tax of 1798 which was meant to support the military, and scaling back the army to just two regiments while also cutting back on the navy. This pivot towards reliance on militia, rather than a standing army, was a major factor in slashing the defense budget.
Jefferson's fiscal policy also included promoting agriculture instead of urban commercial development and ending all internal taxes, like those on whiskey and rum. His vision was an agrarian society, which led to him selling western public lands in small, affordable lots to support this ideal.
Furthermore, he established the United States Military Academy at West Point to ensure well-trained officers would lead less-numerous but better-prepared forces.
In his broader vision, Jefferson encouraged expansion and exploration, seeing it as vital for the nation’s growth. Despite his aversion to a large military presence, he did not shy away from military action when he deemed it necessary, such as against the Barbary States in 1801.
Throughout his terms, Jefferson's policies reflected his emphasis on limited government intervention and fiscal austerity with the aim of promoting a self-reliant, agrarian republic.