What reason did Jefferson give for urging passage of the Embargo Act?
(1 point)
• to protect American traders
• to avoid war over seized ships
© to increase the power of the Republican Party
• to decrease the power and influence of New England merchants
• to avoid war over seized ships
Jefferson gave the following reason for urging passage of the Embargo Act: to avoid war over seized ships.
To determine the reason that Thomas Jefferson gave for urging passage of the Embargo Act, we can refer to historical sources or texts that outline his justifications. One such document is Thomas Jefferson's Annual Message to Congress on December 15, 1807. In this message, Jefferson presented several reasons for urging the passage of the Embargo Act.
Firstly, Jefferson argued that the Embargo Act was necessary to protect American traders. He believed that by prohibiting trade with foreign nations, particularly Britain and France, who were engaged in conflict, American merchants would be shielded from the dangers of piracy, seizure of ships, and other threats to their livelihoods.
Secondly, Jefferson expressed concern over the escalating tensions between the United States and these European powers. By implementing an embargo, he hoped to avoid getting entangled in the ongoing conflicts and potentially risking war. Jefferson believed that a peaceful resolution should be sought, and the Embargo Act was seen as a means to exert economic pressure and encourage diplomatic negotiations.
It is important to note that the other options you listed - increasing the power of the Republican Party and decreasing the power and influence of New England merchants - are not explicitly mentioned as reasons given by Jefferson for passing the Embargo Act. However, it is worthwhile to recognize that these outcomes may have been implicit or secondary motives in the broader context of the political landscape during that period.
In summary, the primary reasons Thomas Jefferson gave for urging the passage of the Embargo Act were to protect American traders and avoid war over seized ships.