Embargo Act of 1807 – Causes, Facts, and Summery

Are you exploring to gather the information about the embargo act of 1807 and what was its causes, facts, and summery. Congress enacted a legislative proposal in 1807 at the behest of President Jefferson that banned trade between U.S. ports and foreign nations. The Embargo Act was meant to use economic pressure to compel England and France to reduce commercial trading restrictions with neutral countries that they imposed in their warfare with one another. Napoleon decreed under his Continental system that no ally of France or any neutral nation could trade with Great Britain to destroy the English economy. In retaliation, England caused a blockade of the northern European coastline, affecting countries that had remained neutral within the dispute between France and England. These vindictive measures hurt neutral American traders, prompting Congress to safeguard the United States’ economic interests.

The initial enactment was the Nonimportation Act of 1806 (2 Stat. 379), which prohibited the import of designated English goods to prevent the harsh treatment of yank ships caught running the blockade. The Embargo Act of 1807 (2 Stat. 451) superseded this enactment and expanded the prohibition versus international trade to all or many nations. In 1809 (2 Stat. 506), a next amendment increased the ban from American ports to inland waters and overland transactions, through stopping trade with Canada and mandated strict enforcement of its provisions.

The American public opposed the act, especially those segments dependent upon international trade for their livelihoods. This opponent eventually led to the enactment of the Non-Intercourse Act (2 Stat. 528 [1809]), which superseded the Embargo Act’s stringent provisions. Thereunder act, only trade with England and France was proscribed, but the measure was ineffectual. Subsequently, in 1810, Nathaniel Macon proposed a typical, called Macon’s Bill No. 2, which Congress enacted despite significant Federalist opposition that authorized the president to continue commerce with the warring nation that lifts its limitations on neutral trade.

Effects of the Embargo

Economically, the embargo devastated American shipping exports and price the American economy about 8 percent within the decreased gross national product in 1807. With the embargo in situ, American exports declined by 75%, and imports declined by 50%—the act didn’t eliminate trade and domestic partners. Before the embargo, exports to us reached $108 million. One year later, they were hardly over $22 million.

Yet Britain and France, locked within the Napoleonic Wars, weren’t significantly damaged by trade loss with Americans. Therefore the embargo intended to punish Europe’s most extraordinary powers instead negatively impacted ordinary Americans.

Although the western states within the Union were relatively unaffected, as they had little to trade, other parts of the country were hit hard. Cotton growers within the South lost their British market entirely. Merchants in New England were the most challenging hit. Discontent was so widespread that local political leaders had a challenging talk about seceding from the Union, decades before the Nullification Crisis, or the war.

Jefferson’s Presidency

Another effect of the embargo was that smuggling built across Canada’s border, and stealing by ship also became prevalent. Therefore the law was both ineffective and difficult to enforce. Many of these weaknesses were addressed by several amendments and new acts written by Jefferson’s Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin (1769–1849), gone by Congress, and signed into law by the president: but the president himself practically ceased active support on his own after signaling his decision to not seek a 3rd term in office in December 1807.

Not only would the embargo taint Jefferson’s presidency, making him reasonably unpopular by its end, but the economic effects also didn’t fully reverse themselves until the top of the War of 1812.

Embargo Act of 1807 Summery

The embargo led to March of 1809 when the Non-Intercourse Act revived trade to all nations except England and France. The embargo’s consequences, however, lasted for much longer than that. Connecticut’s Federalists proved adamant in their dislike and distrust of Jefferson and, therefore, the Republican Party. Their opposition extended to the War of 1812 and to the federal itself, culminating within the Hartford Convention of 1814, ultimately contributing to the Federalists’ downfall.

While the embargo declared a disaster for shipping, it had a positive effect on manufacturing. Connecticut’s many streams and rivers provided a natural waterpower source, and textile mills began operating as early because the 1790s, using technology smuggled from Great Britain. However, these small-scale industries couldn’t compete with the massive British manufacturers until the embargo pack up trade, and British imports were not readily available.

Other Connecticut industries also prospered under the embargo. These added paper mills, gun factories, blast furnaces, and forges, tanneries, and distilleries. By 1810, Connecticut produced nearly $6 million worth of manufactured goods annually, a considerable sum therein period. The state, which had previously been primarily agricultural, was on its thanks to becoming a middle of industry and innovation.

FAQs

Q: What was the mission of the Embargo Act of 1807?

A: President Thomas Jefferson believed that the Embargo Act of 1807 would reform the United States by demonstrating to Britain and France their dependency on American goods, changing them to respect American neutrality, and stop impressing American seamen. Rather, the act had a devastating effect on American trade.

Q: What was the result of the embargo act?

A: Economically, the embargo devastated American shipping exports and price the American economy about 8 percent within the decreased gross national product in 1807. With the embargo in situ, American exports declined by 75%, and imports declined by 50%—the act didn’t eliminate trade and domestic partners.

Q: What was the Embargo Act of 1812?

A: This act forbade American vessels from dropping their ports until Britain and France granted to prevent seizing them stumped. The embargo, however, caused much more damage to America’s economy than to Britain’s. The embargo was difficult to enforce, and smuggling became common.

Q: Who supported the Embargo Act?

A: The Jefferson administration needed to reply. Four days later, Congress passed the Embargo Act of 1807, making the Non-Importation Act obsolete. Eager to maintain peace for as long as possible, Jefferson supported the Embargo Act.