*Economy and Jobs*

Embargo Act of 1807:

Law signed by Jefferson in 1807, illegalised export to other countries i
n response to violations of neutrality in the conflict between France and Britai
n.
-People couldn t export products they couldn t sell in the US
-Shipping jobs, shop owners, and dock workers all lost jobs
-Less wealth coming into US, become poorer
-Cannot purchase exports from other countries that may be exclusive, like spices
from India
-Proved that US economy needed other countries
-No Congress/President has since banned all trade
-Today: Relations are being opened with Cuba
Whiskey Rebellion:
A tax protest beginning in 1791 during George Washington s presidency in r
esponse to taxes on whiskey imposed to fund government. Ended in government usi
ng military force.
-Farmers who distilled whiskey would lose money, have to increase prices
-Consumers would have to pay more
-Protests can keep people from working, destroy businesses
-Proved US was stable, even when small, federal law to be obeyed
-Violent protest not tolerated
-Many violent protests today, such as that in Ferguson, end in military action,
to avoid damage
-Many taxes imposed to this day are considered to make sure they don t upset peopl
e too much, on soda for example
Tariff of 1816:
Enacted in 1816 during Madison s presidency. After war of 1812, British s
urplus flooded US market, very low cost, US manufacturers unable to compete, fac
tories were new and inexperienced. Tariff imposed higher tax on imported goods.
-US manufacturers were unable to compete with cheap products
-South didn t want tariff, would make goods more expensive
-People in manufacturing would lose jobs, make economy worse
-To this day, tariffs still used to protect economy, 20% tariff on all imported
veggies and non-specific daries, for example (according to business insider)
Gibbons v. Ogden [interstate commerce]:
1824 dispute during Monroe s presidency regarding New York giving Aaron Og
den exclusive right to operate ferries between New York and New Jersey along Hud
son River. Gibbons operated several steamboats that did just that, case brought
to supreme court.
-Many people work on ferries and steamboats, could impact jobs with different co
mpanies
-The less competition there is, the higher prices will be
-Served as stage for further laws from Congress regarding commercial activity.
-Court determined that Congress may regulate commerce within state boundaries th
emselves, applies to this day
-Other laws, like minimum wage, could be changed if workers went over state line
s, etc., increased federal power over these matters