Embargo of 1807

By: Krista & Devina

What Started it?• In 1803 Britain and France went to war again.

The British Navy were running out of men so they began boarding American ships and seized British seaman working on the vessels. Britain didn’t recognize American citizens as a

• citizen because they were • born a British subject.

• In 1807 the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair happened. A British ship fired upon the USS Chesapeake and killed 3 Americans and wounded 18. The British had taken 4 “deserters” 3 of which were Americans and forced into the Royal Army. About 528 American merchants had been forced into the Navy before 1807. It had cost the US about 30 million dollars

When the War of 1793 between France and

Britain began the United States became afraid

that there would be restrictions on their trade.

America wanted to be a neutral country with

them so they could continue trade withboth countries.

Britain and France didn’t respect Americas natural rights and restricted their trade. Jefferson wanted to avoid going to war with the two countries and become a neutral country so he made a law called the Embargo

of 1807. This stopped trade with Britain and France.

American vessels were not allowed to trade inforeign ports unless they were authorized to. Jefferson felt that Britain and France were so dependent on American goods that their economy would suffer so much. If they made the act then

thetwo countries would stop violating their natural

rights. Enforcing the new law was difficult, especially in New England where merchants thought the government was trying to ruin their lively hood.

The Act ended up making it more difficult for the United States economy than the French and British economy. Sailors and merchants lost money and their jobs since the two countries were their main traders. Jefferson thought that people would be patriotic but they instead rebelled There was wide spread smuggling in Canada and farm prices fell. The American economy lost about 22 million the years it was enforced. Three days before Jefferson left office the embargo was repealed. It was replaced with Non-Intercourse Act that allowed trade with France and Britain as long as they respect Americans natural rights.