Focusing on the controversy which surrounded Thomas Jefferson and the Embargo of 1807, this social studies unit examines the numerous factors which affect presidential policy-making and leadership. The unit presents newspaper accounts of the boarding of the American frigate "Chesapeake" by the English in 1807 and enumerates the factors that influenced Jefferson's subsequent response to the situation--(1) Jefferson's temperament, his political philosophy and feelings about the limitations of the federal government, and how this complicated his decision, (2) the political and international situation existing at the time of the Chesapeake incident which conditioned Jefferson's response, (3) his actual response to the crisis and steps in the development of his policy of embargo, and (4) public reaction to the Embargo and Jefferson's difficulties in carrying out this policy. Jefferson's policy is then assessed and the complexities involved in the judgment of any public policy are discussed. Included are excerpts from the writings of Thomas Jefferson and newspaper accounts of American and British reactions to the crisis. [Not available in hard copy due to marginal legibility of original document.] (Author/JB)