Navigation Acts

Definition

The Navigation Acts were a series of laws enacted in the 17th century by the English Parliament to regulate colonial trade and enable England to collect revenue from its colonies. These acts mandated that certain goods produced in the colonies could only be shipped to England or other English colonies, ensuring that trade benefited England economically. The Navigation Acts played a crucial role in establishing a mercantilist economic system, which prioritized the accumulation of wealth through regulated trade.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Navigation Acts were first passed in 1651, aiming to control trade in the colonies and make sure it benefited England.
2. Under these acts, goods like tobacco, sugar, and cotton produced in the colonies had to be exported only to England or its colonies.
3. The acts also mandated that all ships involved in this trade had to be English vessels or those from the colonies, restricting foreign competition.
4. The enforcement of the Navigation Acts led to increased tension between England and its colonies, contributing to feelings of resentment and eventual revolutionary sentiments.
5. These laws were a significant part of the larger mercantilist policy framework that aimed to strengthen national economies by controlling trade.

Review Questions

• How did the Navigation Acts impact colonial economies and their relationship with England?
  • The Navigation Acts significantly shaped colonial economies by restricting trade routes and mandating that certain goods be sent exclusively to England. This created a dependency on English markets and limited colonial merchants' ability to engage freely in international trade. The acts fostered resentment among colonists who felt their economic opportunities were being stifled by these restrictions, ultimately straining their relationship with England.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Navigation Acts in achieving England's mercantilist goals.
  • The Navigation Acts were effective in enhancing England's mercantilist goals by ensuring that colonial trade was channeled through English ports, thus maximizing revenue for the English crown. They successfully restricted foreign competition and created a structured trading system that benefited England economically. However, while they generated profits for England, they also bred colonial dissatisfaction, which would later contribute to revolutionary movements against British authority.
• Assess the long-term implications of the Navigation Acts on American independence and the development of trade practices.
  • The long-term implications of the Navigation Acts were profound as they contributed to growing discontent among colonists regarding British control over their economic activities. The acts fostered a sense of identity among colonists who increasingly viewed themselves as separate from British rule. As resistance grew, particularly in response to these restrictions, it set the stage for revolutionary sentiments that ultimately led to American independence. The legacy of these acts also shaped post-independence trade practices as newly independent states sought to establish their own trade policies free from British interference.

Related terms

Mercantilism: An economic theory that emphasizes the importance of accumulating wealth, primarily gold and silver, through a favorable balance of trade, often involving government regulation.

Colonial Trade: The exchange of goods and services between colonies and their mother countries, significantly influenced by laws such as the Navigation Acts.

Triangular Trade: A historical trade system involving three regions, typically linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas, which facilitated the exchange of goods and enslaved people.