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Path to War: the road to 1812. Jefferson’s Second Term. Jefferson reelected in a landslide in 1804 First term was a spectacular success Second term was a disaster. Foreign Policy. Jefferson is forced into war with the Barbary Pirates of North Africa
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Jefferson’s Second Term • Jefferson reelected in a landslide in 1804 • First term was a spectacular success • Second term was a disaster
Foreign Policy • Jefferson is forced into war with the Barbary Pirates of North Africa • Great Britain and France are still fighting each other • Great Britain introduces the practice of impressment
Impressment • Impressment: the practice of hijacking American ships, kidnapping American sailors and forcing them into service in the Royal Navy • 3000 to 5000 American sailors are impressed into the British navy between 1801 and 1810
Jefferson’s Dilemma • France is also impressing sailors but not to the level of Great Britain • Americans once again divide into pro-British and pro-French camps with each side wanting war • Jefferson wants to avoid war and stay neutral • (Ironically, just like John Adams, whom Jefferson sold out in 1798!)
Embargo Act of 1807 • Jefferson signs the Embargo Act forbidding all American trade with both Great Britain and France • This BACKFIRES HORRIBLY • Angers both Great Britain and France • Costs Americans jobs (drives unemployment up) • Nearly causes economic panic and collapse
From Jefferson to Madison • Jefferson completely fails to solve the problem of impressment • James Madison elected fourth president in 1808 • Jefferson essentially sets Madison up