The Embargo Act was put in place to keep Britain or France from declaring war on America and also America wanted to show their neutrality. Most People did not like the act especially merchants because it banned all trade from foreign countries and merchants relied on the trade so they could sell it for profit.
The Embargo act hurt the American economy more than the French or British. Exports fell from $108 million to $22 million. Also the act left many sailors jobless because they couldn't transport imports or exports. Most people resorted to smuggling so they could make money because not many people made a lot of money during the time of this act. To stop people smuggling Jefferson set blockades on the borders of Canada were most smuggling
The Embargo act hurt the American economy more than the French or British. Exports fell from $108 million to $22 million. Also the act left many sailors jobless because they couldn't transport imports or exports. Most people resorted to smuggling so they could make money because not many people made a lot of money during the time of this act. To stop people smuggling Jefferson set blockades on the borders of Canada were most smuggling