Navigation Acts

Definition

The Navigation Acts were a series of laws passed by the English Parliament in the 17th century aimed at regulating colonial trade and enabling England to collect taxes from the colonies. These acts were designed to promote mercantilism by ensuring that trade benefited England, thus strengthening its economy while restricting colonial trade with other nations. The Navigation Acts served as a cornerstone of British economic policy and reflected the principles of mercantilism, where national power was tied to economic wealth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The first Navigation Act was enacted in 1651 and aimed to limit Dutch shipping by requiring that certain goods be transported on English ships.
2. Subsequent acts expanded restrictions to include all colonial exports and imports, mandating that they be conducted through English ports.
3. The acts fueled resentment among colonists who felt their economic freedom was being stifled, leading to increased tension between England and its colonies.
4. The enforcement of the Navigation Acts became stricter after the Glorious Revolution in 1688, further solidifying British control over colonial trade.
5. The Navigation Acts played a significant role in the lead-up to the American Revolution, as they contributed to the growing desire for independence among colonists.

Review Questions

• How did the Navigation Acts embody the principles of mercantilism?
  • The Navigation Acts exemplified mercantilism by prioritizing national wealth and power through strict regulation of colonial trade. By mandating that goods produced in the colonies be shipped only on English vessels and routed through English ports, these laws ensured that profits from colonial trade benefitted England directly. This approach reinforced the mercantilist belief that a nation's economic strength depended on maintaining a positive balance of trade and accumulating wealth through control of resources.
• Evaluate the impact of the Navigation Acts on colonial relationships with England and how it contributed to rising tensions.
  • The Navigation Acts significantly strained relationships between the colonies and England, as they restricted colonial merchants' ability to trade freely with other nations. This led to widespread resentment among colonists who felt their economic opportunities were being limited for the benefit of England. Over time, this discontent fostered a sense of shared identity among colonists and contributed to movements toward independence, as they sought greater autonomy in trade and governance.
• Discuss how the enforcement of the Navigation Acts after the Glorious Revolution affected colonial economies and set the stage for revolutionary sentiments.
  • Following the Glorious Revolution in 1688, the enforcement of the Navigation Acts intensified, leading to increased scrutiny of colonial trade practices. This strict enforcement negatively impacted colonial economies by limiting their trading partners and reducing profitability. As colonists faced economic hardships due to these restrictions, they began to associate their struggles with oppressive British policies, fueling revolutionary sentiments and laying the groundwork for demands for greater independence from British rule.

Related terms

Mercantilism:

An economic theory that emphasizes the role of government in promoting national power through a favorable balance of trade, often achieved by accumulating precious metals and restricting imports.

Colonial Trade: The exchange of goods and services between the colonies and their parent country, as well as with other nations, which was heavily regulated under the Navigation Acts.

Trade Monopoly: The exclusive control of a commodity or service in a market, which the Navigation Acts sought to establish for England over colonial trade.