Why did the U.S. not maintain a large standing army after the American Revolution?

The choice indicating that the U.S. did not maintain a large standing army after the American Revolution due to a perceived peace and absence of threats is rooted in the historical context of the post-Revolution period. After achieving independence, the new nation was focused on establishing itself and fostering a sense of unity among the states. The prevailing sentiment was that the primary threat to national security had been addressed through victory in the Revolutionary War, leading many to believe that a large military presence was unnecessary.

Additionally, the ideals of the time favored minimal government intervention and a limited military, as there was significant apprehension around centralized power. The fear of a large standing army was also tied to memories of British rule, where military force had been used to suppress dissent. This context contributed to the belief that a large army could potentially lead to tyranny or oppression rather than protect the state's interests.

While there were indeed interests in developing naval power and concerns about the size and role of government, the underpinning reason for the limited standing army was largely the belief at that time that peace prevailed and that there were no immediate external threats warranting a large military force.