Thomas Jefferson

Birth-Death: (1743 - 1826 ) Term: (1801-1809 )

Jefferson tried to avoid foreign problems, understanding when George Washington had suggested neutrality. He tried to keep the nation out of the Napoleonic wars, despite harrassment of U.S. merchant ships by both England and France.

Foreign Events of Thomas Jefferson

    The first term of Jefferson's presidency was categorized by a peaceful world. The United States was involved in a conflict with the Barbary pirates, because the pirates demanded a higher tribute for Mediterranean trade, but the conflict ended quickly. Napoleon came to power in Europe, but the Napoleonic wars had not begun yet. During his second term, however, Europe was leaning closer and closer towards war. Great Britain declared war on Napoleon as Napoleon declared war on Europe.

    The major effect of the war, however, was the restriction of trade, and outside nations like the United States suffered. As the war progressed, Napoleon issued the Berlin and Milan decrees which enacted a blockade of Great Britain, and Great Britain issued Orders in Council, which ordered a blockade of Europe. Although the two blockades were not entirely successful, and some blockade-runners were able to sneak through, 1500 American ships were seized, and their sailors were impressed into the British navy.

    Jefferson issued the Embargo Act, prohibiting the merchants of the United States to trade with foreign nations. The act was intended to prevent an American entrance into the war by keeping the ships in American harbors. However, it was next to impossible to enforce, and merchants looking for the lucrative trade smuggled many tons of goods in and out of the ports.

    The act was repealed in 1809 during Jefferson's lame duck period, and replaced by the Non-Intercourse Act which allowed American ships to trade with any nations except the belligerent nations in Europe. Once again, the act failed to keep American ships out of the European harbors.