President Thomas Jefferson created the Embargo Act to quell the emotions of the American citizens, upset by the Chesapeake Incident, and protect the nation from becoming a complete pawn in the war between France and Britain. The act created a complete block of trade against any foreign nation, and was a way of showing Britain and France that America was not going to put up with their bias against the United States. Each nation was trying to use the United States as an indirect pawn, hurting the opposing country by way of America. With the Orders of Council, Britain created a ban on all trade with British controlled French ports, without first stopping at a British port, having their cargo checked, and paying a duty. France, who didn't have the naval power Britain did, merely put out a threat of not allowing trade between the Americans and British. Unfortunately Jefferson over estimated the importance of U.S. trade with Britain and France. Britain, who owned the Atlantic Ocean, had no need for America, and the loss of their trade was barely a glitch in the flow of Great Britain economy. France probably was in need of U.S. trade, but was going to be denied it no matter what, so the loss was probably barely noticed. This left the Embargo Act pointless as it was creating no panic among France a Britain and neither country was begging for the Act to be lifted. At home however the embargo act was creating problems. Merchants and shippers, especially in the North East were loosing money rapidly. The whole nations economy was slipping. Farmers were loosing money, as they had no place to ship their excess goods to. Plantation owners were without a foreign market, and many American citizens began creating slogans against the dreaded Embargo, such as "O grab me" and "Damn bargo." The only Americans benefiting from the embargo were probably the industry owners, as the ban of trade gave their markets and businesses a safe place to grow.
