Colonial Trade and Navigation Acts

Growth of the American Economy

• The American economy expanded, leading colonists to trade with countries other than England.

British Navigation Acts

• 1651: First series of Navigation Acts passed by Britain to restrict trading partnerships.

  • Aimed to keep colonial trade within the British Empire.
  • Ensured colonies traded directly with England.

• 1663: Another Navigation Act was passed.

  • Required European goods destined for American colonies to pass through England first for taxation purposes.

Colonial Response

• For a decade, colonists ignored these acts.

  • Continued trading through foreign ports.

• 1673: Parliament, desiring profit from colonial trade, enacted a new law.

  • Imposed taxes on all ships leaving colonial ports.
  • British officials began policing American harbors to enforce tax laws.

Impact and Reactions

• Colonists complained about the oversight and its negative effects on local trade.
• Ironically, the Navigation Acts stimulated certain sectors of the colonial economy:
  • Shipbuilding
  • Manufacturing

Summary

• The British navigation acts were intended to control trade between the colonies and other countries, ensuring profits remained within the British Empire.
• While they faced resistance from the colonies, these acts inadvertently boosted some economic activities in the American colonies.