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Embargo Act for kids - Napoleonic Wars between France and Britain
Napoleon
Bonaparte was the Emperor of the French and determined to build a
great empire. The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) erupted, instigating a
series of wars between the French Empire of Napoleon and opposing
coalitions led by the British. In 1804 Napoleon declared war on the
British and their allies. The power of Napoleon was based on the
strength of his armies on land. The power of the British was their
naval fleet on the water. It was therefore difficult to easily
engage in the type of conflicts they preferred. The British and the
French therefore tried to inflict damage in other ways by attacking
each other's trade and commerce as much as possible.
Embargo Act for kids - France and Britain attack Trade and Commerce
The British
attacked the French by declaring continental ports closed to
commerce. The French declared all British commerce to be unlawful.
Of course under these circumstances British and European ships could
not carry on trade.
Embargo Act for kids - France, Britain and America
American ships capitalized on the French and British policies making
profits by trading with no effective competition. The British ship
owners were furious and demanded that the government put an end to
this American trade and commerce. Old British laws that had lapsed
were looked up and enforced. American ships that violated the laws
were seized by the British. The US was caught in the European
crossfire because if any American ships obeyed the British laws,
France would seize it as soon as it entered a French harbor.
Embargo Act for kids - Impressment
The British
had long used the system of Impressment, meaning the
commandeering or conscription of men into government service, to
swell the ranks of the sailors in their navy. British warships began
to stop American merchant ships and remove all their sailors who
looked like Englishmen! The seamen were then compelled to serve on
British men-of-war. This method of kidnapping was called
Impressment. Thousands of American seamen were captured in this way
and used as forced labor on the British men-of-war ships.
Embargo Act for kids - The Chesapeake Frigate
The subject
of Impressment reached new heights with the Chesapeake - Leopard
Affair. The USS Chesapeake was an American frigate and the HMS
Leopard was a British warship.
Embargo Act for kids - The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
The Chesapeake–Leopard Affair was a naval engagement
that occurred off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, on 22
June 1807. The Chesapeake frigate had just left the
Norfolk navy yard in Virginia when the British ship, the
HMS Leopard, ordered her to stop. The Chesapeake
refused to sop and the HMS Leopard fired on her.
The British boarded the USS Chesapeake and seized four
sailors, who they said were deserters from the British
navy. Americans were outraged and President. Jefferson
ordered all British warships out of US waters and
Americans were forbidden to supply them with any
provisions, water, or wood. The British backed down and
offered to return the seamen from the Chesapeake but
they refused to give up Impressment.
Embargo Act for kids - President Thomas Jefferson
President
Thomas Jefferson was placed in a terrible position. He could declare
war on both Great Britain and on France, but this would be a
foolhardy measure for such a new nation. It would also put an end to
US trade and commerce. Jefferson looked back on US history when,
before the Revolutionary War, the colonists had on occasion brought
the British to terms by refusing to buy their goods, by placing an
embargo on trade. President Jefferson believed that if the United
States refused to trade with France and Britain, the governments of
both the nations would be forced to treat American trade and
commerce with respect.
Embargo Act is passed by Congress - Ensures Neutral Position of US
Congress
passed the Embargo Act on December 22, 1807 to ensure the neutrality of the United States
in the wars in Europe. The Embargo Act forbade ships to leave
American ports after a certain day. The Embargo Act effectively
closed all U.S. ports to export shipping in either U.S. or foreign
vessels. Restrictions were also placed on imports from Great
Britain.
The Effect of the
Embargo Act of 1807 - Effect in the United States
The idea of
the Embargo Act was Jefferson's answer to the dilemma. However the
American people hated the Embargo Act, especially farmers in the
south and the ship builders and merchants in New England whose
livelihoods were seriously affected by the new law. The ship owners
started to break the law which led to the passing of even stricter
rules. The situation in New England was so bad that there was even
talk of New England seceding from the Union.
The Effect of the
Embargo Act of 1807 - Effect in Europe
The Embargo Act
had a negligible effect in Europe. The French and
British had stockpiled goods like cotton. This
enabled them to raise prices while the stock lasted.
The embargo would not work until all of the stocks
were exhausted.
The
Embargo Act of 1807 replaced by the Non-Intercourse Act
The Embargo Act
of 1807 was a failure. Faced with bitter opposition
to the Embargo Act, President Jefferson signed the
Non-Intercourse Act, permitting U.S. trade with
nations other than France and Great Britain.
It was signed on March 1, 1809 - two days
before the end of his second term in office.
Embargo Act
The info about the Embargo Act provides interesting facts and
important information about this important event that occured during the presidency of the 3rd President of the United States of America.
DISCLAIMER:
This website and any information contained herein
are intended for educational and informational
purposes only and should not be construed as legal
advice. Seek competent legal counsel from a lawyer
for advice on any legal matter.
Embargo Act for kids - President Thomas Jefferson Video
The article on the
Embargo Act provides an overview of one of the Important issues of his presidential term in office. The following video will give you additional important facts, history and dates about the political events experienced by the 3rd American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1801 to March 4, 1809.
Embargo Act
●
Interesting Facts about the
Embargo Act for kids and schools
●
Embargo Act and the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
for kids
● Summary and
Definition of the
Embargo Act
●
Thomas Jefferson Presidency from March 4, 1801 to March 4, 1809
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Fast, fun,
interesting facts about the Embargo Act
●
Foreign & Domestic
policies of President Thomas Jefferson
●
Thomas Jefferson Presidency and
the Embargo Act for schools,
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