ID: Embargo Act of 1807 ## When: December 22, 1807
Who:
- Proposed by: President Thomas Jefferson
- Passed by: U.S. Congress
What:
An act that prohibited American ships from sailing to any foreign port. This was in response to the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, where a British ship attacked an American ship and impressed American sailors into the British Navy. Jefferson hoped the embargo would pressure Britain and France (who were at war) to respect American neutrality and stop impressing American sailors.
Impact? Why Significant?:
- Devastated the U.S. economy: Severely hurt American shipping and agriculture, especially in New England, leading to widespread economic hardship and smuggling.
- Politically damaging to Jefferson: Eroded support for the Democratic-Republican Party, particularly in the Northeast.
- Contributed to the War of 1812: Heightened tensions with Britain, eventually contributing to the outbreak of war in 1812.
- Demonstrated the limits of peaceful coercion: Showed that economic pressure alone was insufficient to protect American interests on the high seas.
- Spurred domestic industrial growth: Forced the U.S. to become more self-sufficient by encouraging the growth of domestic manufacturing, though on a limited scale.