Read pages 278 – 279 on the Violations

of Neutrality to examine the causes of

the Embargo Act.
1. Great Britain and France were at war (again!).
Each country thought the U.S. was “helping” the
other country by trading. (U.S. was “neutral”!!)

a. G.B. stopped ALL trade ships going to French ports!

b. France stopped ALL trade ships going to British ports!

2. Impressment – The British were kidnapping U.S.

sailors and forcing them onto British ships

3. USS Chesapeake attacked by the British – 3

soldiers killed & many more impressed.
 Effects of the Embargo Act:
 Caused many businesses to fail,
causing people to lose jobs
 Crops like cotton and tobacco went
unpicked (could not export products)
 Made Americans angry! France and
Great Britain traded with other
countries instead of U.S.
American trying to
sell his goods