WHAT IT IS:

This bill was passed after the Embargo Act

which had prohibited all imports and exports

from going in and out of America. When the

Embargo Act seemed like an obvious failure,

Macon’s Bill No.2 was implemented to

allow Americans to trade again, but with a

catch. It stated that the would only resume

trade with Britain and France if they agreed

to lift their trading restrictions, and America

would revive its non importation law to  

whichever country did not repeal the trade restrictions, Napoleon, the new dictator of France, seized the chance and agreed to repeal the French restrictions if the British would repealed theirs (Orders in Council), too. However, the French did not intend on permitting unrestricted trade between America and Britain, so even when Britain did not repeal Orders in Council, the French agreed to trade with America. America held the embargo against British only.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT:

It brought a better economy to the US after the hated Embargo Act. However, it brought some negative changes as well. Because it showed antagonism of the Americans only towards he British, the passing of the Mason Bill No.2 stood for the end of American neutrality. Also, it was the final step towards the war imminent war that would arise from disunity within the nation. Unfortunately, allthough the French agreed to stop their trade restrictions and the raiding of US ships, they went back on their promise and did not stop seizing American ships.