Reference no: EM133445695
Assignment:
Question:
Beginning in 1806, the British began seizing American ships on the High Seas, capturing American sailors, and forcing them to fight in the British Royal Navy. President Thomas Jefferson said that there were 3 possible responses: "war, embargo, or nothing." Ultimately, Jefferson chose to avoid war and create the Embargo Act.
If you had been president of the United States at this time, what would your have done when to the British started attacking American ships and sailor? Would you have also established the Embargo Act? Would you have immediately gone to war? Would you have tried a different action?
Directions for Answering the Question:
Using information from the lecture,
a. Discuss the Embargo Act and Jefferson's reasons for enacting it.
- Offer at least 2 reasons why Jefferson didn't immediately go to war with Great Britain.
- Explain what the Embargo Act was.
- Explain why people did not initially like the Embargo Act.
- Explain why the Embargo Act was positive in the long-term (in combination with the War of 1812).
b. State your position- would you have also created the Embargo Act, immediately gone to war with the British, or chosen a different approach?
c. Explain why your approach would have been the best response to British attacks on American ships and sailors.
- You are permitted to note that while a particular approach might have some negative consequences, the positive ones outweigh the negative ones.