Thomas Jefferson and James Madison sought to use trade as a weapon against Britain and France by implementing economic measures that aimed to restrict their influence and compel them to respect American neutrality. Jefferson's Embargo Act of 1807 prohibited American ships from trading with both nations, intending to pressure them to cease their maritime practices that violated American rights. Madison, facing continued British aggression, supported the Non-Intercourse Act, which reopened trade with all nations except Britain and France, attempting to leverage economic ties to achieve diplomatic goals. Both leaders believed that restricting trade would ultimately force these countries to acknowledge and respect American sovereignty.
The Democratic-Republicans, led by figures like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, generally supported France during the war between France and Britain, viewing it as a struggle against monarchy and for revolutionary principles. They believed in upholding the Franco-American alliance established during the American Revolutionary War. However, their support was not universal, and some members were concerned about the implications of siding with France against Britain, especially given America's economic ties to Britain.
Hamilton distrust Madison and Jefferson because they were supporting France and were against Great Britain.They were hostile to him.Hamilton said that the views of Madison and Jefferson are unsound and dangerous.
Jefferson and Madison first responded to impressment with neutrality. He wanted to keep America as neutral as possible in the midst of conflict between Great Britain and France. His solution was a commercial attack, rather than a military one: the Embargo Act.
France for sure!
The big issue was foreign relations with France and Britain. Both interfered with US trade. A trade agreement was reached with France to the exclusion of trade with Britain. Britain had harassed the US since the Revolutionary War. The US military had grown stronger and there was a move to go to war with Britain. Eventually, Madison asked for a declaration of war against Britain. The War of 1812 became Madison's main concern.
During James Madison's presidency, The US fought the War of 1812 with Britain. While he was Secretary of State under President Jefferson, the US completed the Louisiana Purchase with France.
Jefferson asked congress to pass trade laws to punish Britain and France
Britain and France interfered with American neutrality by
Jefferson believed that the trade between Britain and the US and France and US was more important to Britain and France than it really was.
I make the argument that Madison was never Jefferson's protege. Madison and Jefferson met when they were both members of the Virginia House of Delegates. Madison was the younger of the two but in the course of this relationship he never found himself in a position in which he was learning from Jefferson as a protege does. If you read the earlier papers of Madison his ideas do not differ from his ideas after meeting Jefferson. There is the argument that Madison was a firm believer in a strong federal government in the fashion that Hamilton was but then later is a believer in small government like Jefferson but a closer examination of his philosophy reveals a more consistent character. Like Hamilton, Madison believed throughout his career that a strong union was necessary. Like Jefferson, Madison believed that government required limits that Hamilton thought were hampered a robust national government. Madison believed, before Jefferson went to France, in a Franco-American alliance and encouraged a hesitant Jefferson to become the diplomat to France. He worked with Jefferson in the VA House of Delegates. He worked with Gov. Jefferson as a member of the Counsel of State. He encouraged him to go to France and then to return to America to become the first Sec. of State. He was Jefferson's younger ally. But to be a protege Madison would have had to sit at Jefferson's feet and expect to learn something he did not already know and believe. If anything, Madison was always the steady voice common sense that balanced Jefferson's boundless energy.
James Madison viewed Britain as the bigger enemy compared to France, particularly during the lead-up to the War of 1812. He was concerned about British maritime practices, impressment of American sailors, and their support for Native American resistance against American expansion. While he recognized France's aggressive actions, he believed that Britain's longstanding antagonism posed a more immediate threat to American sovereignty and interests.
the embargoes against France and Britain failed because they went to trade with other countries around them.