The US Embargo Policy Study Of 1807-1809

In the early 19th century, the hegemony of war between England and France renewed. The blockade of England and France and the impress of England, severely impaired the neutral trade,safe of people and the national dignity of America, the harm by the England was more serious to the United States.The democratic-republican party which was leaded by Jefferson, held the idea of economic coercion by the American economy.After the "Chesapeake"affair which insulted the American ship, America was temporarily in failure in the negotiation with England. The Jefferson administration required the Congress to make the embargo laws,whose purpose was to protect the dignity,people's safe and property of America. The embargo acts, which empowered the unprecedented executive power to the U.S. federal government, not only prohibited the export trade,but also prevented part of the domestic trade.During the embargo, the law enforcer encountered resistance of businessmen, which even was violent protest,and the federal government was accused of by the Federalists.The enforcement of embargo laws, which didn't bring England and France to heel, caused destructive impact on the commerce and trade of America,which became visible gradually, and affected people's lives,so was opposed by more and more people. The federal government was accused of repressive government and Jefferson was of France's "puppet", the embargo was criticized unconstitutionality, some federalists were attempt to make commercial states seceded from the union, and formed the New England coalition. In that case, Jefferson and some republicans had to give up the embargo, the Congress replaced the embargo with the Non-intercourse Act.As a kind of economic coercion, embargo was failed to realize the diplomatic goal of Jefferson government,but produced far-reaching influence to the United States. Economically,it stimulated the American manufacture,and came the buds of the industrialization,which laid the foundation of the industrial revolution of America. Politically, the embargo asserted the dignity of America,and indicated the newborn America's determination to protect its rights. In addition, people at that time debated on the constitutionality of the embargo, highlighted the political parties'understanding of the power of regulate trade, deepened the people's cognizance of American federalism at that time. Moreover, the experience of embargo pointed the way of maintaining American neutral rights in the future, as it was the origin of the war of 1812. At the same time,embargo seriously affected the commerce and agriculture of America. On the whole,the embargo made greater harm than advantage.