The Navigation Acts

Mercantilism

was an economic theory that promoted regulation of the economy by the state for the purpose of consolidating state power.

Anglo Dutch

Mercantilism led to wars between the great European powers for control of sea trade routes, like the wars of the 17th century and the 18th century.

British Parliament

The enacted mechanisms such as protectionist trade barriers, government regulation, and subsidies to domestic industries to strengthen Britain's finances at the expense of colonial and other European imperial powers.

Navigation Acts

In 1651, the British Parliament, in the first of what became known as the , declared that only English ships would be allowed to bring goods into England and that the North American colonies could only export its commodities, such as tobacco and sugar, to England.

Describe mercantilism in your own words. Was it a just economic policy? Were the foundations of mercantilist theory sound?

form of economic nationalism that sought to increase the prosperity and power of a nation through restrictive trade practices

Can you imagine a policy the British could have adopted that would have bolstered British finances without incurring the wrath of the colonists?

British could have adopted that would have bolstered British finances without incurring the wrath of the colonists

How important do you think the Navigation Acts were in solidifying anti-British sentiment in the North American colonies?

promote the self-sufficiency of the British Empire by restricting colonial trade to England and decreasing dependence on foreign imported goods.