United States History
Question of the Day
Answer & Explanation 

Jefferson's Response to Impressment


American being impressed by British sailors
(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons--public domain)

Question 0111029:

Alarmed by impressment and increasing British interference with American shipping, President Jefferson

(A) chose to follow Pres. Washington's model of steering a neutral course
(B) imposed an economic embargo with disastrous economic results
(C) gained tremendous political support in New England for his strong stand against the actions of the British navy
(D) used the power of marque and reprisal to arm privateers and harass British ships
(E) did nothing

Answer:
 (B) imposed an economic embargo with disastrous economic results

 Explanation:
  Jefferson responded to increasingly troubling British actions by imposing the 1807 Embargo Act which effectively eliminated legal trade with both Great Britain and France. The Act proved disastrous for the New England and mid-Atlantic merchants who depended on European trade and increased the smuggling of goods. One unexpected consequence was the growth in American manufacturing which for several years did not have significant competition from European manufacturers.

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