Lesson 57: Jefferson's Embargo

After the revolution,  nations in the Mediterranean began to tax American cargo vessels for passing through their waters.
 In 1801 the leader of Tripoli demanded higher payments for passage.
Jefferson refused to do pay anything and Tripoli declared war on America.
At the same time, there was a renewed war between England and France.
 American ships in the area were caught in the middle of the new war and were being captured as spoils of war by both France and England.
 Because of this, Jefferson convinced Congress to pass the Embargo Act of 1807 which stopped the exportation of American goods to other countries.
He hoped to make France and England work with America for their benefit, but the two warring countries just got their products from other countries.
 The Act only made it harder on America, and had to be repealed so trade could be re-established with other countries.