EUROPEAN WARS SPILL OVER TO AMERICA (AGAIN)

The Napoleonic Wars of Europe that lasted from 1802 till 1815 had a large impact on the United States. America viewed its role in this war as a neutral, yet came into conflict with both France and Great Britain. By terms of the Continental System. American ships that traded in Britain were sometimes stopped and seized. British ships also seized ships trading with the French West Indies, made merchants pay heavily to get special licenses to send their ships through the British naval blockade of the continent, and practiced impressment (forcing deserted British sailors but also American citizens into the British navy). Jefferson banned British warships from American ports, yet impressment and the stopping and seizing of American ships continued.

Many in America wanted war, but Jefferson thought that economic pressure would cause the British and the French to respect the rights of America as a neutral. He declared the Embargo of 1807. by which American ships could not enter the seas until England and France stopped their harassment of American shipping. Predictably, the effect on the American economy was disastrous. Exports dropped dramatically, with Northeastern merchants, Southern plantation owners, and even farmers dramatically affected.

The Embargo of 1807 was by far the most unpopular act championed by Jefferson. In the 1808 presidential election, Congressman James Madison was elected president, even though he was one of the architects of the embargo bill.

Seeing that America had actually fallen into economic depression, Madison in 1808 introduced the Non-Intercourse Act, which opened trade with all countries except England and France. An 1810 act again threatened to cut trade with any nation that interfered with Americans ships, which England and France continued to do.