USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The act was Pres. Thomas Jefferson’s response to British and French interference with neutral U.S. merchant ships during the Napoleonic Wars. The embargo had little effect in Europe, but it imposed an unpopular restriction on New England merchants and exporters (see Hartford Convention).

Detailed explanation-2: -The embargo was precipitated primarily by Napoleon Bonaparte’s 1806 Berlin Decree, which announced that neutral ships carrying British-made goods were subject to seizure by France, thus exposing American ships to attacks by privateers.

Detailed explanation-3: -Smuggling increased in popularity. Thomas Jefferson suffered significant loss of political support. Increased fines and punishments made the act even more unpopular. Britain and France did not suffer as America had hoped, instead turning to other markets for trade.

Detailed explanation-4: -There were four primary reasons the Embargo Act of 1807 failed: a lack of political willpower, unpopularity in New England states, intricate smuggling operations, and the overall damage to the American economy.

Detailed explanation-5: -The embargo proved to be a complete failure. It failed to improve the American diplomatic position, highlighted American weakness and lack of leverage, significantly (and only) damaged the American economy, and sharply increased domestic political tensions.