This Day in Maritime History: Embargo Act of 1807

December 22, 1807: The Embargo Act of 1807 Passes Congress

The Embargo Act of 1807 was an American law that prohibited American ships from engaging in foreign trade due to political unrest between two European superpowers, France and Britain. 

The countries were locked in a struggle for control of Europe, and both had enacted restrictive shipping practices—Britain halting neutral shipping agreements, Napoleon’s Continental System virtually waging economic warfare on Britain from France—and neither wanted the opposition to acquire American supplies.  The Merchant Marine greatly suffered from the trade deficit that unfolded with the new commerce climate, and while the United States was small and remote in the early 1800’s compared to the European political giants, they believed their shipping presence was large enough to draw an impact.  Thus, the Embargo Act of 1807 was born at the hands of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison on December 22, 1807. 

The Embargo Act of 1807 denied all international trade to and from American ports.  Jefferson hoped that Britain and France would be swayed of their restrictive regulations and be forced to return to neutral global commerce.  Using economic pressure during a brewing world war was a daring measure taken by the U.S., and it didn’t produce the desired outcome.

France and Britain stood steadfast amid the embargo and American merchants, sea captains, and sailors found themselves without work, income, and with rotting ships at the docks.   Americans began to defy the embargo, especially in New England, where trade was illicitly conducted.  The law was adjusted and re-designed thereafter to circumvent its failure, and eventually was superseded by the Nonintercourse Act in 1809, which allowed commercial intercourse to be resumed internationally, except with Britain and France, in hopes to regain support from the citizens at home. 

Growing tensions, however, were still only ignited, especially with prior trade grievances Americans had to pick with the British.  The Acts eventually were overturned when Jefferson left the presidency in 1809.

 The strained relationship between the U.S. and Britain eventually led to the American declaration of the War of 1812. --MarEx Staff