Navigation Acts

Definition

The Navigation Acts were a series of laws passed by the English Parliament in the 17th century that regulated trade and shipping between England and its colonies. These acts were designed to strengthen England's control over colonial commerce and ensure that the economic benefits of the colonies flowed back to the mother country.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Navigation Acts required that all goods shipped to and from the colonies be transported on English or colonial ships, ensuring that England profited from colonial trade.
2. The acts restricted the export of certain colonial goods, such as sugar, tobacco, and indigo, to only England or other English colonies, preventing the colonies from trading directly with other countries.
3. The Navigation Acts were a key component of England's mercantilist economic policies, which aimed to create a favorable balance of trade and increase the nation's wealth and power.
4. The enforcement of the Navigation Acts led to tensions between the colonies and the mother country, contributing to the growing sense of colonial autonomy and the eventual American Revolution.
5. The Navigation Acts were gradually relaxed and modified over time, reflecting the changing economic and political realities of the British Empire.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Navigation Acts were connected to the mercantilist economic policies of England during the colonial era.
  • The Navigation Acts were a central component of England's mercantilist economic policies, which sought to maximize the economic benefits that the colonies provided to the mother country. By restricting colonial trade and requiring that goods be transported on English or colonial ships, the Navigation Acts ensured that the wealth and resources of the colonies flowed back to England, rather than being traded with other European powers. This alignment with mercantilist principles helped England maintain a favorable balance of trade and increase its overall economic and political power during the colonial period.
• Describe the role of the Navigation Acts in shaping the economic and political relationship between the English colonies and the mother country.
  • The Navigation Acts played a significant role in defining the economic and political relationship between the English colonies and the mother country. By restricting colonial trade and commerce, the acts reinforced England's control over the colonies and the flow of colonial resources. This contributed to growing tensions and a sense of colonial autonomy, as the colonies sought greater economic and political independence. The enforcement of the Navigation Acts was a major source of friction between the colonies and England, ultimately contributing to the growing discontent that led to the American Revolution.
• Analyze how the gradual relaxation and modification of the Navigation Acts over time reflected the changing dynamics of the British Empire.
  • The gradual relaxation and modification of the Navigation Acts over time reflected the evolving nature of the British Empire and its economic and political priorities. As the colonies grew in economic and political importance, and as the global balance of power shifted, the British government recognized the need to adapt its mercantilist policies to maintain control and maximize the benefits of the colonial system. The gradual loosening of the Navigation Acts, such as allowing more direct trade between the colonies and other countries, demonstrated the British government's willingness to compromise and adapt its colonial policies to changing circumstances. This flexibility was essential in maintaining the cohesion of the British Empire, even as the colonies became increasingly autonomous and assertive in their economic and political aspirations.

Related terms

Mercantilism: An economic theory and system that emphasized the accumulation of wealth, often through tight control of trade and the exploitation of colonies.

Triangular Trade: A trading pattern that connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas, involving the exchange of goods, slaves, and raw materials.

Colonial Charters: Legal documents granted by the English crown that outlined the rights, responsibilities, and governance structures of the colonies.