The Embargo Act of 1807 was signed into a law on 22 December 1807 by England and France.The anticipated effect of this measure was to decrease the economic hardship for the aggressive nations to humble Great Britain and France and force them to end their abuse of American shipping ,respect USA neutrality and stop the policy of impressment.President Thomas Jefferson hoped that the Embargo Act of 1807 would help the United States by demonstrating to Britain and France their dependence on American goods, convincing them to respect American neutrality and stop impressing American seamen.Instead, the act had a devastating effect on American trade.