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Date
Class
I NTERPRETING P OLITICAL C ARTOONS
Activity 5
THE EMBARGO ACT OF 1807
By 1807 the United States found itself in the middle of a dispute
between the French and the British. United States ships bound for Europe
were often stopped by the British, French, or both. Jefferson hoped to keep
the United States neutral. He convinced Congress to pass the Embargo Act
of 1807, which made it illegal for United States merchants to import or
export goods. Although the embargo hurt both Britain and France, it did
more damage at home. New England felt the greatest blow because its
economy depended on trade with foreign countries. In this tense environment, the Embargo Act became the subject of many cartoons, pro and con.
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
DIRECTIONS: The cartoon on this page takes a strong stand on the Embargo
Act. Study the cartoon, and then answer the questions that follow.
OGRABME, or, The American Snapping-turtle
Collection of the New York Historical Society, New York.
(continued)
INTERPRETING POLITICAL CARTOONS
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Name
Date
Class
ANALYZING THE CARTOON
1. What in this cartoon represents the Embargo Act?
2. What does the man with the barrel represent? What is he trying to do?
3. To which country does the ship belong? How do you know this? What
is the ship waiting for?
CRITICAL THINKING
4. Analyzing Information Americans had fun playing with the letters of
the word embargo. What is the meaning of the statement of the smuggler, “Oh! This cursed Ograbme!”?
5. Making Generalizations Is the cartoonist in favor of or against the
Embargo Act? Explain your answer.
7. Evaluating Information According to this cartoon, the Embargo Act
worked. How well did it work? Support your answer with facts and
reasons.
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INTERPRETING POLITICAL CARTOONS
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
6. Drawing Conclusions Like the smuggler in the cartoon, play with the
words “Embargo Act.” Create any words or statements that use the
letters in “Embargo Act” and might be the caption to a cartoon about
the act. You can use any letters more than once. You do not need to use
all the letters.