President Thomas Jefferson aimed at reducing the national debt that had been left by the Federalists, by reducing the jobs within the government, including the military. Jefferson’s idea was based on the French term laissez-faire (meaning let the people do as they choose.) Jefferson believed there was no need at the time for an army, so he cut the troops down by one-third, and reduced the number of naval ships. While there were good attributes to doing this, there were also cons that came with it, one that included the fact that America would be weak if it was ever attacked. America would have a low amount of troops, and couldn’t defend itself as well. A pro of this military reduction was that America’s national debt went from $80 million to…show more content… Since the military downsized, this took away the threat other countries saw. This “standing army” was reduced by Jefferson and Gallatin to make it seem not as if America was waiting or inviting in a war, but instead there to protect, and nothing else. Aside from taking away the threat able to be viewed by other countries, America’s small army was at a disadvantage. If somehow, America did get into war, aside from the fact that it would be small, other countries might not want to aide in america’s fight. In many wars, different countries have different allies, yet with a smaller army, there serves no purpose due to the fact that the country with the small army has no good chance at winning the war. To sum this disadvantage up, America would stand little chance at receiving military aid from other countries due to the small number of troops they have. The reduction of America’s army also gave citizens a reduction in Nationalism (a feeling in pride in a nation) because of their small army, which leads to disloyalty in the country. Jefferson’s reduction in our nation’s military had many pros and cons at the time, but overall, it was for the better in the growth of
