The embargo act of 1807: a. was jefferson's attempt to keep the country at peace and avoid further provocative incidents b. stopped the export of american goods and prohibited all u. s. ships from leaving for foreign ports c. was denounced by new england merchants and western and southern farmers alike d. all of the above

D. All of the above is the correct answer.

Explanation:

The Embargo Act was passed by US state congress on December 22, 1807. It was signed by President Thomas Jefferson in a bid to prohibit American ships from trading in foreign ports. This Act was meant to punish the French and British for their interference with American trade at a time when they were at war with each other during Napoleonic wars.

US tried to stay neutral during the Napoleonic wars  but it didn't work as France had passed a law in 1806 that prohibited trade between US and Britain, the french parties started to seize the American ships. British also started to seize american ships and demanded that american ships would have to check at British ports to trade with other nations. British were also taking American men for impressment, due to these reasons US government passed the Embargo Act  

The act devastated the American shipping exports and the exports declined by 8 percent. It was intended to punish France and Britain but it ended up affecting the Americans. The cotton growers of the south lost their British Markets and led to discontent among the people. Smuggling across the Canadian border also increased.  

The embargo ended in 1809 and was replaced by Non -Intercourse act.