The Act was the first in a series of ineffective attempts of Congress and the administrations of President Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to respond economically, instead of militarily, to these British actions and to other consequences of the Napoleonic Wars.

During the Napoleonic Wars, British and to a lesser extent French interference with American shipping motivated Congress to action.

As the United States was far weaker than either belligerent, economic warfare alternatives to military action were explored as possible means of leverage.

[2] The following items were banned under the Non-Importation Act of 1806: The penalties for infraction were a loss of the goods and a fine of three times their value.

These items included cheap woolens, coal, iron, steel, and British colonial produce, all goods deemed too vital to embargo.