Non-importation Act
| Thomas Jefferson | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 3rd President of the United States | |
|
In office March 4, 1801 – March 4, 1809 |
|
| Vice President |
Aaron Burr George Clinton |
| Preceded by | John Adams |
| Succeeded by | James Madison |
The Non-Importation Act was an act passed by the United States Congress on October 28, 1806, which forbade the importation of certain British goods in an attempt to coerce Great Britain to suspend its impressment of American sailors and to respect American sovereignty and neutrality on the high seas. This was the first attempt of President Thomas Jefferson's administration to respond economically, instead of militarily, to the British actions. The act was suspended, but was quickly replaced by the Embargo Act of 1807, which imposed more trade restrictions with Britain, as well as with France. It was one of the acts leading up to the War of 1812.
Due to British and French interference with American shipping during the Napoleonic Wars, American Congressmen called for action. Some favored a total prohibition while other wanted limited action. After much debate, those calling for limited action would eventually prevail.
After three months of debate, the Non-Importation Act of 1806 was passed by Congress and signed by President Jefferson on April 18, 1806. It went into effect on November 15, 1806. It was the first economically based response to Britain's failure to accept American neutrality rights during the Napoleonic Wars. Britain was guilty of impressment on the high seas and even threatened further action against the United States if it did not curtail its alleged neutral trade. The bill was a threat to Britain's economic well-being by attempting to disrupt its flow of commerce. Most importantly, the Non-Importation Act of 1806 would pave the way for future acts of Congress such as Jefferson's Embargo Act of 1807 and the Non-Intercourse Act of 1809. The Non-Importation Act of 1806 would lay the foundations of defining foreign trade and foreign relations for a very important time in United States history.
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