1. Jefferson’s Foreign Policy
• March 11, 2014
• DO NOW: Using the passage below, explain what
has happened to this American sailor. What
vocabulary word represents this?
“Being on the shore one day in Lisbon, in Portugal, I
was taken by a group of men and forced on board
the British Naval ship The Conqueror, where I am
still confined. Never have I been allowed to put my
foot on land since I was brought on board, which is
now three years ago.”
-James Brown in a letter to his brother

2. Situation
• Think of a time when two of your friends were
in an argument. What happened when you
choose to stay neutral rather than pick a side?
• What are the positives and negatives of
staying neutral?
Positives of staying neutral Negatives of staying neutral
• •
• •
• •
• •

3. Different Approaches
WHO SITUATION SOLUTION – what
presidential tools would
they use to try and
resolve this issue
George Washington Impressment
You Impressment
Thomas Jefferson Impressment

4. PRINT THESE OUT Embargo Act (1807)
• What- A law passed by the United States
Congress and signed by President Thomas
Jefferson that prohibited American ships from
trading to all foreign countries.
• Why- Jefferson didn't want war, but he was
willing to take economic measures. He hoped
that an embargo would hit the British and French
where it would hurt them the most, right in the
pocketbook.

5. Embargo Act(1807)
Did it work?
• The embargo actually caused more trouble for
Americans than it did for the British and
French
• Results- Agricultural prices fell. The shipping
industry was ruined. Unemployment rates
increased. Domestic prices increased. Imports
and exports dropped off.

6. Homework DUE 3/12/14
-Imagine you are someone who’s occupation
has been affected by this embargo. (Farmer,
Merchant, Ship builder)
-Use the information from today’s lesson to
write a letter to President Jefferson.
- Be sure to include how this new law has
affected you financially.
- –Explain what you think the president should
do (Remove the Embargo or keep it) and
explain your decision using 2 reasons.

7. Sentence Starters
Dear President Jefferson,
I am writing you today in regards to the
Embargo you have placed on all foreign trade. I
am an American (job) and this Embargo is…