![]() ![]() Met with massive smuggling, particularly to West Indies, particularly along border (compare with massive smuggling, 1760s). (Congress also passes nonimportation act, late 1806.) Jefferson believes this will increase virtue and self-reliance among Americans (compare with homespun movement, 1768). "The Devil himself could not tell which government, England or France, is the most wicked," says one congressman.ġ807 Embargo Act. In 1807, British Orders in Council mandate that US ships dock in British ports and pay a British tax before trading with any part of Europe under Napoleon's control (compare with Navigation Acts).įrench seize American ships bound for or leaving England. Monroe (Secretary of State) counts 6200 Americans impressed 1803-11. In response, the French say that any ships obeying British rules will be "denationalized" and seized. But they do claim right to search US ships on high seas, which US, alone among nations in the world, denies. British do not claim right to search US warships or US merchant ships in neutral ports. British and Americans agree that the British can search American merchant ships in British ports for deserters. Even by the American definition, admits the Secretary of the Treasury, half the US merchant marine (about 11,000 sailors in 1805) is British. Mass desertions from British Navy to American ships in this period: no raises for over 150 years US ships pay up to 5X as much salary. British define citizenship as inalienable (if you are born under the British flag, you are a British citizen until death) American definition is much looser (after 14 years of residence, you can become an American citizen). The majority of these ships and sailors are not insured, so all their value is lost if seized.ġ804 Napoleon proclaims himself emperor of Franceġ805 at Battle of Trafalgar, Admiral Horatio Nelson crushes French/Spanish fleet (they lose 22 of 27 ships, British none), giving Great Britain naval supremacy in the Atlantic and Mediterraneanġ806 England begins to, in effect, blockade US shipping (close European ports to US ships unless they first ship through British ports French seize American ships that obey British rules) and continues impressments. US trades heavily with both nations and their possessions, the value of such trade rising from $32M in 1803 to $108M in 1807. Settled with peace treaty, 1800.ġ801-04 battles with Barbary pirates in North Africa build on American sense of inferiority/disrespect at seaġ803 France and England go back to war.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |