About this episode

The episode explores how Thomas Jefferson's trade policies in 1806 aimed to confront Britain without war, highlighting the complexities of his legacy.

April 18, 1806. In his study, President Thomas Jefferson signs a law that doesn’t look like an act of war. It bans imports. Leather. Silk. Glass. Playing cards. A strange list. A quiet move. But Jefferson is trying to confront one of the most powerful empires in the world, without firing a shot. Britain is stopping American ships at sea. Boarding them. Taking sailors by force. The country is furious. War feels close. Jefferson has another idea. How did Jefferson—an avatar of individual liberty—become the president who suspended due process, militarized the coastline, and nearly tore his country apart? And what can his legacy teach us about the prevailing winds of global trade? Special thanks to Harvey Strum, professor of History and Political Science at Russell Sage College in Albany and Troy, New York; and Lawrence Hatter, associate professor of Early American History at Washington State University. Get in touch: historythisweek@history.com Follow on Instagram: @historythisweekpodcast Follow on Facebook: ⁠HISTORY This Week Podcast⁠ To stay updated: http://historythisweekpodcast.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit…

People in this episode

Guests: Harvey Strum, Lawrence Hatter

Topics covered

• Thomas Jefferson
• trade war
• American history
• global trade
• political decisions
• individual liberty

Keywords

• trade war
• Thomas Jefferson
• imports ban
• American ships
• British Empire
• individual liberty
• political science
• history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: HISTORY® Channel, Back Pocket Studios, Russell Sage College, Washington State University

Places: Albany, Troy

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