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Embargo Act (1807)

Not only was America having troubles with the Barbary pirates, but also Britain and France! Britain and France went to war again in 1803. At first Americans profited from the conflict because they traded with both sides. But then the British and the French started impressing American sailors again! In order to try to put an end to the impressment of American sailors, Thomas Jefferson asked Congress to pass the Embargo Act. The Act would prevent all U.S. ships from leaving the U.S. to trade with foreign nations and made it illegal to import goods from foreign nations.

1. Where is the man trying to bring the barrel? Why? He is trying to bring the barrel to a ship to be sent to Europe. He is doing this to try and make money. He has to smuggle (sneak) because of the Embargo Act.

2. There is a tortoise stopping the man from reaching his destination. What does the tortoise represent? The Embargo Act

3. What are the people in the background doing? Why? Smuggling, to try to make money because the Embargo Act is hurting Americans by not allowing them to trade.

4. In your opinion, how does the artist feel about the Embargo Act? The artist is against the Embargo Act because he uses the words “cursed”, the man who is smuggling looks angry.

1. What was the value of U.S. exports in 1805? 100 million

2. What was the value of U.S. exports in 1807? 20 million

3. What was the difference between the value to U.S. exports in 1805 and 1807? 80 million

4. What is the best explanation for the dramatic decrease in the value of U.S. exports from 1805 to 1807?

The Embargo Act cut off all trade into and out of the U.S. Many American businesses were losing money and closing. Therefore, many people became unemployed.

In 1809, Jefferson admitted the Embargo Act was a failure. He got Congress to replace it with the Nonintercourse Act, which allowed Americans to trade with everyone except Britain and France. This did not do much to help the U.S. economy because Britain and France were America’s biggest trading partners. Jefferson became very unpopular for these two acts and decided not to run for a third term.