economic disaster
The Embargo Act of 1807 caused tremendous amounts of problems and complications within the United States. Not only was the economy very poor, many ships resorted to smuggling in order for merchants to make a living. The unemployment rate increased dramatically as America became an isolated self sufficient country. Thomas Jefferson, by cutting the demands for American goods, the embargo act triggered an economic depression that lasted until 1816. Exports dropped by 75% while imports decreased by 50%. In the north, manufacturers initially suffered most from the embargo, not being able to sell their manufactured goods. Lost exports greatly impacted the sales rate, therefore forcing the unemployment to increase. Southern states suffered when they lost the ability to export crops such as tobacco and cotton. However, textile mills provided a new market for some crops, although still much of the nation saw prices and earnings fall while employment rose. The embargo resulted in many protesting and smuggling, some traders evaded the embargo through legal loopholes. It was apparent that the U.S. was unable to maintain the embargo and an isolated economy. The growing of criticism caused Congress to repeal the Embargo Act.
The cartoon depicts a smuggler being bitten by an American Snapping turtle addressing the embargo act and expressing the conflicts within America. As it shows, the snapping turtle represents Thomas Jefferson, not allowing a merchant to bring aboard his products to the British ship in the distance. Under the turtle's foot is a licence that represents the authority Jefferson obtains, being able to hold back merchants under his "grip." In the back ground, the British ship is leaving the port, in addition, smugglers are seen sneaking products onto a boat and sailing it to the ship. As the merchant attempts to aboard the ship, he states the word, "Ograbme." It is "embargo" spelled backwards, therefore hinting the frustration towards the act. The purpose of the cartoon is to exhibit the dilemma within America and display the smuggling and the attempts people have done to revolve around the act. It also demonstrates the flaw of the embargo act, somewhat as a protest against Jefferson pushing him to know it was a horrid idea.