CAUSES & CONTEXT
What European nations were at war leading up to the Embargo Act?
What are Great Britain and France.
In what year was the Embargo Act signed into law?
What is 1807
What region of the United States was most negatively affected by the Embargo?
What is New England
How did Great Britain initially react to the Embargo Act?
They were initially annoyed but found alternative trade routes.
What political philosophy guided Jefferson's decision to use economic coercion?
Democratic-Republicanism (reliance on peaceful coercion)
What practice of the British navy angered Americans?
Impressment
What did the Embargo Act essentially prohibit American ships from doing?
Sailing to foreign ports
What happened to the price of American agricultural goods due to the Embargo?
Decreased significantly
Did the Embargo significantly cripple the British economy?
No, it had a limited impact.
How did the failure of the Embargo Act affect Jefferson's popularity at the end of his presidency?
It significantly decreased his popularity.
What incident in 1807 heightened tensions with Great Britain?
The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
What branch of the U.S. government was responsible for enforcing the Act?
The Treasury Department (and revenue cutters)
How did the Embargo Act affect American merchants and sailors?
Many faced bankruptcy and unemployment
What alternative sources of goods did Great Britain turn to during the Embargo?
South America (and increased trade within their empire)
What did some critics call the Embargo Act, highlighting its perceived ineffectiveness?
"Ograbme" (Embargo spelled backward)
What was President Jefferson's primary goal in enacting the Embargo?
To avoid war and protect American neutrality/shipping
What was one significant loophole or way some Americans tried to evade the Embargo?
Smuggling or coastal trade
What political party gained popularity in New England due to opposition to the Embargo?
The Federalist Party
How did the Embargo affect France's ability to trade with the United States?
It also negatively impacted French trade with the US.
What future conflict is sometimes linked to the unresolved issues that led to the Embargo?
The War of 1812
Besides Britain, what other major European power was targeted by the Embargo?
France
What later act, passed in 1809, partially replaced the Embargo Act?
The Non-Intercourse Act
What was one unintended consequence of the Embargo on American manufacturing?
It spurred the growth of domestic manufacturing
What long-term impact did the Embargo have on the perception of American foreign policy abroad?
It damaged America's reputation as a reliable trading partner.
How did Jefferson later view the success or failure of the Embargo Act?
He likely considered it a failure despite his initial hopes.