Navigation Acts: These were laws passed by the British government in the 17th century that required all colonial trade with foreign nations to be conducted on British ships and through British ports.
Mercantilism: An economic system where colonies exist primarily for the benefit of the mother country, aiming to maximize exports and minimize imports in order to accumulate wealth.
Salutary neglect: A policy followed by Britain towards its American colonies during the early 18th century, where they relaxed enforcement of some trade regulations in exchange for colonial loyalty.