Which act allowed Americans to trade with all nations except Britain and France in 1809?

The Nonintercourse Act of 1809 was significant because it lifted some of the restrictions imposed by the earlier Embargo Act of 1807, which had completely halted trade with all foreign nations. The Nonintercourse Act specifically allowed trade with any country except for Britain and France, reflecting the United States' desire to engage in international commerce while still holding its ground against these two nations, which were involved in ongoing conflicts and had been seizing American ships.

This act was a response to the economic difficulties faced by American merchants and the public backlash against the more extreme embargo. While it aimed to protect American interests and maintain some level of trade relations, the broader context of this era included tensions between the U.S. and European powers, particularly regarding maritime rights and the enforcement of trade policies.

The Embargo Act, which preceded the Nonintercourse Act, had been much broader and was aimed at all foreign nations, proving to be economically detrimental and unpopular. The Declaratory Act and the Navigation Act, on the other hand, pertain to events and policies that are not directly related to the trade restrictions during this period. Therefore, the Nonintercourse Act effectively represented a middle ground in U.S. trade policy during a time of international conflict