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The Embargo Act of 1807

In: Historical Events

Submitted By AnSyn
Words 670
Pages 3
"On the impressments of our seamen, our remonstrances have never been intermitted. A hope existed at one moment, of an arrangement which might have been submitted to, but it soon passed away, and the practice, though relaxed at times in the distance seas, has been constantly pursued in those in our neighborhood." Thomas Jefferson (Senate, 1806)
The Embargo Act of 1807 by Damian Harris
In the late 1700’s and early 1800s France and the British Empire were in a period of conflict known as the Napoleanic Wars. After a short truce in 1802 – 1803 the wars continued causing U.S. Relations with both nations to become unstable. Commerce for America was strong between both other nations and a strict stance of neutrality was made by Congress and the president. Despite the strict stance of neutrality U.S. sailors found themselves constantly forced into the direct affairs of the wars. (DeToy, 1988)
The Embargo Act of 1807 was an embargo enacted by the United States Congress during the Napoleanic Wars, prohibiting trade with both the British Empire and France.
The Embargo Act was a response to violations of U.S. neutrality, when American merchantmen and their cargo were being seized by European navies as war contraband. The British Navy was resorting to impressments, by forcing American Seaman into service on British warships. The embargo was part of President Thomas Jefferson’s insistence that commercial retaliation was preferable to military mobilization.
The Embargo Act was enacted on December 22, 1807 and was anticipated to produce economic hardship for the belligerent nations, and to coerce them to respect U.S. trade and neutrality. It inflicted, however, devastating hardship on U.S. economy. (Gilje, 2010)
As a cumulative addition to the Non Importation Act of 1806, trade of valuable resources to the states was hindered. Such resources included leather, silk, hemp or

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