2. The BackgroundThe Background
In Europe the Napoleonic warsIn Europe the Napoleonic wars
were underway.were underway.
From the British came theFrom the British came the OrdersOrders
in Councilin Council, and from the French, and from the French
came Napoleon'scame Napoleon's ContinentalContinental
SystemSystem..
Both of these policies containedBoth of these policies contained
laws prohibiting trade with thelaws prohibiting trade with the
other nation, or any nation whoother nation, or any nation who
might be affable to them.might be affable to them.
Because of this, trade wasBecause of this, trade was
severely affected in the statesseverely affected in the states
even though at this time they wereeven though at this time they were
one of the few notably neutralone of the few notably neutral
nations to this European conflict.nations to this European conflict.
3. Jefferson's ReasoningJefferson's Reasoning
Jefferson wanted to avoid war as much as possibleJefferson wanted to avoid war as much as possible
because the fact that the navy was weak, due tobecause the fact that the navy was weak, due to
Jefferson’s anti-navalism, and the army even weaker.Jefferson’s anti-navalism, and the army even weaker.
But Jefferson understood the nations in EuropeBut Jefferson understood the nations in Europe
depended heavily on the US for raw materials anddepended heavily on the US for raw materials and
foodstuffs.foodstuffs.
He thought if he cut off exports to all the warring nationsHe thought if he cut off exports to all the warring nations
they would give in and agree to Americas rights.they would give in and agree to Americas rights.
4. Jefferson’s Reasoning cont.Jefferson’s Reasoning cont.
This decision wasThis decision was
peculiarly strangepeculiarly strange
considering that Jeffersonconsidering that Jefferson
himself was an anti-himself was an anti-
federalist and was forfederalist and was for
little to no governmentlittle to no government
intervention.intervention.
But as it turned out thisBut as it turned out this
ban asserted a ratherban asserted a rather
large amount oflarge amount of
government control.government control.
5. The EmbargoThe Embargo
This act was passedThis act was passed
in 1807 and enactedin 1807 and enacted
a ban on all tradea ban on all trade
between the warringbetween the warring
nations in Europe andnations in Europe and
the US.the US.
Hoping for the nationsHoping for the nations
to come crawling toto come crawling to
America to lift theAmerica to lift the
ban.ban.
6. Bad IdeaBad Idea
The Embargo turned out to be notThe Embargo turned out to be not
as affective as Jefferson hadas affective as Jefferson had
hoped and it hurt the Americanhoped and it hurt the American
economy far more than it did theeconomy far more than it did the
French or British.French or British.
For the most part the people hatedFor the most part the people hated
this act, calling it names such as:this act, calling it names such as:
O Grab Me, Go Bar ‘Em, and theO Grab Me, Go Bar ‘Em, and the
Dambargo.Dambargo.
This act also created drasticallyThis act also created drastically
increased smuggling andincreased smuggling and
increased unemployment.increased unemployment.
10. The RepealThe Repeal
Under the weight of the immense public anger congressUnder the weight of the immense public anger congress
passed thepassed the Non-Intercourse ActNon-Intercourse Act in 1808.in 1808.
This act repealed the previous Embargo and onlyThis act repealed the previous Embargo and only
banned trade with France and Britain.banned trade with France and Britain.
This was passed shortly before Jefferson’s term ended.This was passed shortly before Jefferson’s term ended.
This Embargo is known as one of the worst decisions ofThis Embargo is known as one of the worst decisions of
American presidents.American presidents.
And even in the long run this act didn’t prevent warAnd even in the long run this act didn’t prevent war
between America and Britain.between America and Britain.
