Final answer:
Thomas Jefferson reduced federal government size, opposed Federalist policies, and supported agricultural expansion and states' rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jefferson worked to differentiate his administration from the Federalists by shrinking the federal government, cutting back on the military, and promoting states' rights.
During his presidency, Thomas Jefferson sought to reduce the size and influence of the federal government, contrasting sharply with the Federalist preference for a strong, centralized authority. Jefferson's policies emphasized agricultural development, fiscal austerity, and the expansion of the United States through purchasing lands for farming, which aligned with his vision of a republic of yeoman farmers.
Additionally, he challenged the Federalists' vision by opposing the Alien and Sedition Acts, supporting the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, which advocated for states' rights to judge the constitutionality of federal acts, and eliminating internal taxes.