New England, which was a Federalist stronghold, in particular felt the brunt of the embargos and would be financially injured as a result of the war. In 1809, Congress passed the Nonintercourse Act and Macon's Bill No. 2, which offered limited concessions for whichever nation opted to lift the trade restrictions on neutral ships.

Tensions between Britain and France escalated in the years preceding the war, drawing the United States deeper into the conflict and more prepared to take a stand against one side or the other. Napoleon closed off Continental ports to British merchant ships and Britain retaliated in turn. At first the United States took advantage of the tense situation in Europe by manning the trade routes between the Continent and the West Indies.

However, Britain passed a set of trading regulations that prevented neutral ships from trading with enemies. Great Britain initially requested that American ships obtain...
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