- Thomas Jefferson wanted a smaller, less active federal government that did not interfere in businesses and markets. His economic policies aimed to keep the federal debt low by reducing spending and taxes. - Jefferson reduced the size and budgets of government departments and the military. He also pardoned convictions under the Sedition Act and repealed the Alien and Sedition Acts and Whiskey Tax. - The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States, adding territory west of the Mississippi River to the Louisiana territory for $15 million, despite initial constitutional concerns over Jefferson's authority to acquire land.