Embargo facts for kids

An embargo is like a big "no-trade" rule that one government puts on another country. It means they refuse to buy or sell things with that country. This usually happens because of a serious political problem or disagreement between them.

Think of it as a way for one country to try and make another country change its actions. By stopping trade, the country under embargo might find it hard to get important goods or sell its own products. This can make their economy weaker. The goal is often to encourage the country to solve its internal problems or change its policies.

What is an Embargo?

An embargo is a type of economic sanction. This means it's a way for countries to use money and trade rules to pressure another country. When an embargo is put in place, it stops almost all trade. This can include stopping imports (things coming in) and exports (things going out).

Governments use embargoes for many reasons. They might want to stop another country from doing something they disagree with. This could be about human rights, security, or even how a country treats its own people.

Why Do Countries Use Embargoes?

Countries use embargoes as a tool to achieve certain goals without going to war. Here are some common reasons:

• Political Disagreements: If two countries have a big political fight, one might use an embargo to show its disapproval.
• Human Rights: A country might place an embargo if another country is treating its citizens unfairly.
• Security Concerns: If a country feels threatened by another, an embargo can be used to limit that country's resources.
• Stopping Harmful Actions: Sometimes, embargoes are used to stop a country from developing dangerous weapons or supporting terrorism.

The idea is that if a country faces economic hardship, it might be more willing to change its behavior.

How Do Embargoes Affect Countries?

Embargoes can have a big impact on the countries involved.

• For the Targeted Country:

* Less Money: They can't sell their goods to the country that put the embargo on them, which means less money coming in. * Shortages: They might not be able to buy important things like food, medicine, or fuel from other countries. This can lead to shortages for their people. * Economic Hardship: Businesses might close, and people could lose their jobs.

• For the Country Imposing the Embargo:

* Lost Trade: They also lose out on trade with the targeted country. This can sometimes hurt their own businesses. * Finding New Partners: They might need to find new countries to trade with.

Even though embargoes can be tough, they are often seen as a way to solve problems peacefully.

Embargo vs. Blockade

It's easy to confuse an embargo with a blockade, but they are different:

• Embargo: This is a legal decision by a government to stop its own trade with another country. It doesn't usually involve military force. Other countries are still free to trade with the targeted country if they wish.
• Blockade: This is usually a military action. A country uses its navy or air force to physically stop ships or planes from entering or leaving another country's ports or airspace. A blockade is often seen as an act of war.

So, an embargo is about stopping trade through rules, while a blockade is about stopping movement through force.

Famous Examples of Embargoes

History has many examples of embargoes. One well-known example is the 1973 oil embargo. Several oil-producing countries stopped selling oil to certain countries, including the United States. This caused gas shortages and higher prices for people in those countries. It showed how much an embargo can affect daily life.

Another example was the long-standing embargo by the United States against Cuba, which limited trade and travel for many years. These examples show that embargoes are a powerful tool in international relations.

Images for kids

• 

  An undersupplied US gasoline station, closed during the oil embargo in 1973

See also

In Spanish: Sanción económica para niños