USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Embargo Act, Legislation by the U.S. Congress in December 1807 that closed U.S. ports to all exports and restricted imports from Britain. The act was Pres. Thomas Jefferson’s response to British and French interference with neutral U.S. merchant ships during the Napoleonic Wars.

Detailed explanation-2: -Passed on December 22, 1807, the Act did the following: An embargo was laid on all ships and vessels under US jurisdiction. All ships and vessels were prevented from obtaining clearance to undertake in voyages to foreign ports or places.

Detailed explanation-3: -Unfortunately, it wasn’t working. In 1806, France passed a law that prohibited trade between neutral parties, like the U.S., and Britain. French warships soon began seizing American merchant ships. In 1807, Britain retaliated, prohibiting trade between neutral parties and France.

Detailed explanation-4: -President Thomas Jefferson hoped that the Embargo Act of 1807 would help the United States by demonstrating to Britain and France their dependence on American goods, convincing them to respect American neutrality and stop impressing American seamen.

Detailed explanation-5: -The diplomatic neutrality of the United States was tested during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). The warring nations of Britain and France both imposed trade restrictions in order to weaken each other’s economies. These restrictions also disrupted American trade and threatened American neutrality.