Act embargo

The Embargo Act (law on the Embargo) is an American law taken by the Congrès of the United States in 1807 so that the United States remains neutral in the wars which shake Europe.

History

At the beginning of the XIXe century, the president Thomas Jefferson tries to maintain the neutrality of the United States in the Napoleonean Guerres: he refuses to choose between Great Britain and France. The president also tries to maintain open the sea routes vis-a-vis the attacks of the corsairs and pirates what leads it to reinforce the marine with war.

Vis-a-vis the British aggressions on the American ships, Jefferson makes vote the Embargo Act (“Law on the embargo”) in 1807: no boat can enter nor not to leave the American ports. This measurement has an unexpected consequence: beginnings of the industrialization of the United States. Indeed, since the trade with Europe is broken, it is necessary to produce that which the country needs on the spot. Thus, manufactures and the factories multiply. However, the Embargo Act is criticized because it is in contradiction with the individual rights and it affects the activity of the merchants of the Atlantic coast. It causes demonstrations in the cities. Libelle S against Jefferson circulate: Thomas Jefferson, you are fieffé the most idiotic to which God gave life. That God dedicates you to the devil Finally the congress obtains capacities to control the foreign trade and decides to abolish the Embargo Act , which is replaced by the Nonintercourse Law . The commercial relations with France and Great Britain remain prohibited.

See too

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