Changes

In 1807, bigger troubled occurred between the United States and England.  The British Orders in Council forbade any trade by the United States with France unless the trade first touched English ports.  The British also added insult to injury.  In 1807, the "Chesapeake Affair" was a humiliating seizure by the British ship ''H.M.S. Leopard'' of an American ship named the ''Chesapeake'', in international waters where American shipping should have free travel.  The British forcibly boarded the ship looking for other British sailors on it.

In 1807, bigger troubled occurred between the United States and England.  The British Orders in Council forbade any trade by the United States with France unless the trade first touched English ports.  The British also added insult to injury.  In 1807, the "Chesapeake Affair" was a humiliating seizure by the British ship ''H.M.S. Leopard'' of an American ship named the ''Chesapeake'', in international waters where American shipping should have free travel.  The British forcibly boarded the ship looking for other British sailors on it.

Jefferson tried to deal with the British Orders in Council by supporting and signing the Embargo Act in 1807.  That law forbade all exports by the United States, and was a misguided attempt to hurt England.  Jefferson also supported and signed the Non-Intercourse Act, which forbade trade with Britain and France while authorizing President Jefferson to end the boycott once the European countries stopped violating the rights of Americans.  These bans on exports were a huge failure, and hurt the American economy more than it hurt the European countries.  By the end of Jefferson's two terms in office (a total of 8 years), he was no longer popular and he followed Washington's example of voluntarily leaving office, without running for a third term in 1808.  The British burden on American shipping continued until it caused the War of 1812, although ironically England finally rescinded the Orders slightly before Congress declared war.  (Keep in mind that there was no internet or telephones then to facilitate speedy communications!)

Jefferson tried to deal with the British Orders in Council by supporting and signing the Embargo Act in 1807.  That law forbade all exports by the United States, and it harmed American shipping the most.  Jefferson also supported and signed the Non-Intercourse Act, which forbade trade with Britain and France while authorizing President Jefferson to end the boycott once the European countries stopped violating the rights of Americans.  These bans on exports were a huge failure, and hurt the American economy more than it hurt the European countries.  By the end of Jefferson's two terms in office (a total of 8 years), he was no longer popular and he followed Washington's example of voluntarily leaving office, without running for a third term in 1808.  The British burden on American shipping continued until it caused the War of 1812, although ironically England finally rescinded the Orders slightly before Congress declared war.  (Keep in mind that there was no internet or telephones then to facilitate speedy communications!)

Only one additional state joined the United States during Jefferson's presidency:  Ohio, in 1803.  Jefferson is credited with eliminated unnecessary taxes such as the whiskey tax and decreasing the size of the federal government.

Only one additional state joined the United States during Jefferson's presidency:  Ohio, in 1803.  Jefferson is credited with eliminated unnecessary taxes such as the whiskey tax and decreasing the size of the federal government.