14. During his presidency, Thomas Jefferson cut prices on land and encouraged westward settlement. What was Jefferson's motive for doing these things?
He was seeking to cut military spending.
He had a vision of a more agrarian society.***
He wanted to increase taxes to reduce government debt.
He was trying to encourage more people to move to the U.S.
He had a vision of a more agrarian society.***
Thomas Jefferson's motive for cutting prices on land and encouraging westward settlement during his presidency can be attributed to his vision of a more agrarian society. In order to understand Jefferson's motive, we can look into his beliefs and goals as a president.
During Jefferson's time as president, he embraced an agricultural and decentralized vision for the United States. He believed that an agrarian society would foster independence, self-sufficiency, and virtuous citizenship. To achieve this vision, Jefferson aimed to expand westward and encourage more people to settle and cultivate the land.
By cutting prices on land, Jefferson was making it more affordable and accessible for farmers to acquire land in the western territories. This aligns with his agrarian vision, as it would contribute to the growth of an agricultural economy and support his goal of an independent and self-sufficient nation.
Furthermore, Jefferson saw westward expansion as a means of avoiding the potential pitfalls of urbanization and industrialization. He believed that by spreading the population across the vast lands of the continent, the United States would be less susceptible to the negative effects and concentrated power associated with cities and manufacturing.
It's important to note that while reducing military spending and increasing taxes were also concerns during Jefferson's presidency, his primary motive for cutting land prices and encouraging westward settlement was to promote his agrarian vision for the nation.