Legal Definitions - nonintercourse act

Definition: The Nonintercourse Act is a law that stops or suspends commercial or other relationships between nations.

Example: In 1809, the United States passed the Nonintercourse Act, which prohibited trade with Great Britain and France due to their interference with American shipping and commerce. This law was meant to protect American interests and assert the country's neutrality in the ongoing conflict between the two European powers.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Nonintercourse Act can be used to limit or restrict trade and other interactions between nations. In this case, the United States used the law to protect its economic interests and avoid taking sides in a foreign conflict. The Nonintercourse Act is a tool that can be used by governments to assert their sovereignty and protect their citizens from external threats or interference.