The Embargo Act was an attempt to:
A. punish the Federalists
B. win support for Jefferson's reelection
C. damage the American economy
D. exert pressure on England after the Chesapeake Affair
A?
OK, I read the article. It seem like it attempted to keep America neutral, not damage the American economy, win support for Jefferson's reelection. So is it D?
Yes, D.
Boom! I feel like a history professor already.
To determine the correct answer, we can analyze the given options and understand the historical context of the Embargo Act. The Embargo Act, passed by the United States Congress in 1807 during Thomas Jefferson's presidency, was a law that prohibited American ships from trading with foreign nations. This act was a response to conflicts between the United States and Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.
Now, let's examine the options:
A. Punish the Federalists: This option is incorrect because the Embargo Act was not specifically aimed at punishing the Federalist party, the political opponents of Jefferson's Democratic-Republican party. While there were political implications, as the Federalists were critical of the act, punishing them was not the primary objective of the embargo.
B. Win support for Jefferson's reelection: This option is incorrect because the Embargo Act was passed during Jefferson's second term, and he was not eligible for reelection. Therefore, winning support for his reelection could not have been a motive for the act.
C. Damage the American economy: This option is correct. The aim of the Embargo Act was to damage the American economy in order to put pressure on Britain and France. Jefferson hoped that by restricting trade and hurting the economies of these countries, they would be forced to respect American neutrality and cease their interference with American shipping.
D. Exert pressure on England after the Chesapeake Affair: This option is partially correct but not the best answer. The Chesapeake Affair, where a British ship attacked an American ship, further strained relations between the United States and Britain. The Embargo Act was partly a response to this incident, as it sought to exert pressure on England (Britain) and France. However, it was not specifically targeting England alone as France was also included.
Therefore, the correct answer is C. damage the American economy. The Embargo Act was an attempt to hurt the American economy in order to put pressure on Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.
No.
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2621.html