US History

U.S. History Study Guide

The Napoleonic Wars War continued in Europe under France's Napoleon and the European powers led by Britain. Both sides tried to prevent trade with their enemies by neutral powers, especially the United States. Napoleon’s “Continental System” was answered by Britain’s “Orders in Council.” American ships were seized by both sides and American sailors were at times captured and forced into the British navy. The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair (1807) The British ship H.M.S. Leopard stopped the U.S.S. Chesapeake off the Chesapeake Bay near Norfolk, Virginia and four alleged British deserters were taken off and hung. Public outcry for war followed, and Jefferson was hard pressed to remain neutral. He instead would act passive aggressively and make one of the biggest economic disasters in U.S. history, the Embargo Act of 1807. The Embargo of 1807 Jefferson’s response to the cry for war was to draft a law prohibiting American ships from leaving port for any foreign destination, avoiding contact with vessels of either France or Britain. The result was an economic depression, particularly in the heavily commercial Northeast. This proved to be his most unpopular policy of both terms in office. 8.23 Madison's Administration 1809-1817 The Election of 1808 Republican James Madison won the election over Federalist Charles Pinckney, but the Federalists gained power in both houses of the Congress. The embargo created a depression which caused a heavy political burden, and Madison would have to deal with the international crisis. Madison was a brilliant man but lacked natural charisma. His greatest asset was his wife Dolly, who made up for the charisma he lacked. 8.24 Events Leading to the War of 1812 The Non-Intercourse Act and Macon’s Bill No. 2 Congress had passed a modified embargo just before Madison’s inauguration, known as the Non- Intercourse Act, which opened trade to all nations except France and Britain. The intent was to damage the economies of Britain and France. Like its predecessor, the Embargo Act, it was mostly ineffective and contributed to the coming of the War of 1812. When it expired in 1810, it was replaced by Macon’s Bill No. 2, which gave the president power to prohibit trade with any nation when they violated U.S. neutrality. Macon's Bill No. 2 restored

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