Why did Jefferson reverse the policies of the previous administration?

Thomas Jefferson, as the third President of the United States, sought to reverse many of the policies of his predecessors, specifically those of the Federalist administrations of George Washington and John Adams, for several reasons.

1. Philosophical Differences: Jefferson's political philosophy was fundamentally different from that of the Federalists. He was a proponent of strict constructionism, meaning he believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution and advocated for limited federal government powers. The Federalists, on the other hand, were more inclined toward loose constructionism, supporting a strong central government.

2. Reduction of Government Size and Spending: Jefferson wanted to reduce the size and expense of the federal government. To this end, he reduced the size of the military, eliminated a number of federal jobs, and repealed taxes, such as the whiskey tax, thereby diminishing federal revenue but also reducing the burden on citizens.

3. Opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts: Jefferson was strongly opposed to the Alien and Sedition Acts, which were passed by the Federalist-dominated Congress under John Adams. He saw these acts as violations of the First Amendment rights of free speech and press and oversteps of federal authority. Once in office, he worked to allow the acts to expire and pardoned those who had been convicted under them.

4. Economic Policies: Jefferson disagreed with the Federalist's economic policies, including the formation of a National Bank. Jeffersonians feared that a strong financial institution could lead to corruption and undue influence by wealthy industrialists and Northern interests.

By reversing the policies of the previous Federalist administrations, Jefferson aimed to align the government's actions more closely with his vision of a decentralized agrarian society where states' rights took precedence, and individual liberties were at the forefront of governance.