For each event in Jefferson’s presidency, determine if he stuck to his own Jeffersonian principles and why/why not. Then, assign him a grade (A-F or numerical) in his overall actions, taking into account context, motive, significance, outcome, etc.
During the Napoleonic Wars between France and Britain, both violated the accepted norms of neutral shipping. According to international law, neutral nations had a right to trade nonmilitary goods with countries at war. By 1806, however, both Britain and France had declared the other under blockade, seeking to deny trade with America to its rival. The Britsh were the greatest offenders, routinely attacking and boarding ships to round up British seamen who would sometimes desert the Royal Navy and attempt to blend in on American ships. In the process, the Royal Navy would sometimes impress American sailors, forcing them to serve in the British navy.
The Chesapeake–Leopard affair between the British warship HMS Leopard and the American frigate USS Chesapeake heightened tensions. The crew of Leopard pursued, attacked, and boarded the American ship off the coast of Virginia, looking for deserters from the Royal Navy. Americans were outraged and many began calling for war.
Jefferson felt that a solution short of war should be possible. Jefferson concluded that if the United States stopped all trade with both belligerents, they would be forced by economic necessity to respect American neutral rights (a policy known as economic coercion). To Jefferson, the economic health of the United States required freedom of trade with which no foreign government had a right to interfere. American farmers needed access to markets in Europe and the Caribbean. As colonial patriots had done in the 1760s and 1770s, he decided to use trade as a weapon. Jefferson signed the Embargo Act in 1807, forbidding American ships from engaging in foreign trade.
In Britain and France, the embargo was hardly noticed, while in America, exports fell by 80% and port cities, especially those in the manufacturing centers of the Northeast and the cotton producing regions of the South. Jefferson believed that Americans would cooperate with the embargo out of a sense of patriotism. However, the embargo crippled the American economy and an illicit trade in smuggling flourished, particularly through Canada. To enforce the embargo, Jefferson greatly expanded the federal government. He mobilized the army, navy and customs agents to enforce the blockade and arrest smugglers. Just before his term ended, in March 1809, Jefferson signed the Non-Intercourse Act, banning trade only with Britain and France but providing that if either side rescinded its edicts against American shipping, commerce with that country would resume. Again, this had little effect on the European powers. An alarmed Congress, yielding to the storm of public anger, finally repealed the embargo when Jefferson left office.
In this situation, Jefferson did stick to his own Jeffersonian principles in using economic coercion instead of resorting to war. He believed in the importance of freedom of trade and that no foreign government had the right to interfere. However, despite his intentions, the Embargo Act had significant negative consequences on the American economy and did not achieve the desired results.
Grade: C
To determine if Jefferson stuck to his own Jeffersonian principles during his presidency, we need to analyze his actions and compare them against his stated beliefs and values. In this case, we are looking at his response to the violation of neutral shipping during the Napoleonic Wars.
Jefferson's Jeffersonian principles included a belief in limited government, states' rights, agrarianism, and a commitment to individual liberty and freedom of trade.
During the Napoleonic Wars, both Britain and France violated the norms of neutral shipping, which affected American trade and sailors' rights. In response, Jefferson introduced the Embargo Act in 1807, forbidding American ships from engaging in foreign trade. The objective of this policy was to use economic coercion to force Britain and France to respect American neutral rights.
However, the embargo had unintended consequences. It resulted in a significant decline in American exports, crippled the American economy, and led to an increase in smuggling. Jefferson's belief that Americans would support the embargo out of patriotism proved wrong.
Additionally, Jefferson had to expand the federal government's power to enforce the embargo, which contradicted his belief in limited government. The embargo also failed to have a significant impact on Britain and France.
In conclusion, Jefferson's response to the violation of neutral shipping demonstrated an attempt to protect American neutral rights and follow his Jeffersonian principles of defending freedom of trade. However, the outcome of his actions, including the negative impact on the American economy and the failure to achieve its intended goals, suggests that he may not have fully adhered to his principles.
Considering the context, motive, significance, and outcome of his actions, I would assign Jefferson a grade of C for his overall actions during this period.
In his response to the violations of American neutral rights during the Napoleonic Wars, Jefferson took actions that can be evaluated based on his Jeffersonian principles.
Jefferson believed in protecting American neutral rights and promoting freedom of trade. In response to the violations committed by both Britain and France, Jefferson signed the Embargo Act in 1807, which forbade American ships from engaging in foreign trade. By implementing this embargo, Jefferson aimed to use economic coercion to force both belligerents to respect American neutral rights.
However, Jefferson's actions did not align with his principles effectively. The embargo had a devastating impact on the American economy, with exports falling by 80% and port cities suffering significant economic decline. The illicit trade through smuggling, particularly via Canada, flourished, undermining the effectiveness of the embargo.
Furthermore, the Non-Intercourse Act signed by Jefferson in 1809, which banned trade only with Britain and France, also had little effect on these European powers.
Overall, while Jefferson's intentions were rooted in his belief in protecting American neutral rights and freedom of trade, the effectiveness and consequences of his actions suggest that he did not successfully stick to his own Jeffersonian principles.
Grade: C