Napoleon’s rise spelled trouble not only for Europe, but for the U.S. as well, as ripples of the Napoleonic wars reached the shores of the newly-formed republic. As a trading partner to both the warring powers, Britain and France, U.S. merchant ships were seized by both sides when perceived to be dealing with the enemy. British sailors also deserted in droves to the American merchant marines, giving rise to roving British “press gangs” forcibly boarding American ships and taking anyone remotely suspected of desertion. One incident, involving an attack and boarding of the USS Chesapeake, stirred much outrage in the States, causing Jefferson to declare an economic embargo.

On this day, December 22, in 1807, President Thomas Jefferson signed the Embargo Act, prohibiting trade with Europe. Jefferson believed the economic impact would hurt them more than it hurt the United States.

It didn’t. Britain imported vital goods from their South American possessions, and learned to make do without the non-vital ones taken out by the embargo. France likewise had everything they needed within the territories of their new empire; the American embargo played right into their desire for a Continental system. Stateside, many traders flouted the law, and the economy suffered. Jefferson’s embargo, intended to prevent an all-out war, served only to delay it.