CONTEXT:
The first of the “Navigation Acts” are passed in 1651…
PURPOSE: to firmly control the economic development of the British Colonies in North America… These laws are THE PRIME EXAMPLE OF “MERCANTILISM,” the economic theory that supports “IMPERIALISM.”{a colony exists solely for the benefit of the Mother Country}…These laws for most of the early history of the British North American Colonies are not enforced very well… due to: “SALUTARY/BENIGN NEGLECT”… however, in spurts—they are enforced…as under the DOMINION OF NE and Sir Edmund Andros in the late 1680s and early 1690s…until the Glorious Revolution bringing William and Mary from Holland to the throne of England…. From the 1690s until the outset and conclusion of the French and Indian (7years war) 1754 -1763…There is another period of “SALUTARY/BENGIN NEGLECT” that allows the colonies to create their own economic and political institutions….this long period of “neglect” allows these colonial practices to become habit and a belief is formed among the colonists that this is normal and their right…especially due to the passage of the English Bill of Rights in 1688…. Remember the Virginia Co. Charter gave all citizens of all of these colonies the same rights as if they were in England… SO--- WHEN THESE ARE ENFORCED, especially after the F&I War, 1763---it leads to CONFLICT---REVOLUTION---WAR---AND INDEPENDENCE…
Navigation Act of September 13, 1660
British Parliament
I. For the increase of shipping and encouragement of the navigation of this nation wherein, under the good providence and protection of God, the wealth, safety, and strength of this kingdom is so much concerned; be it enacted by the king’s most excellent Majesty, and by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority thereof, that from and after the first day of December, one thousand six hundred and sixty, and from thence forward, no goods or commodities [grown, produced, or manufactured] shall be imported into or exported out of any lands, islands, plantations, or territories [belonging] to his Majesty… in Asia, Africa, or America, in any other ship or ships.. [but those that] do truly and without fraud belong only to the people of England…under the penalty of the forfeiture and loss of all the goods and commodities…as also of the ship or vessel…
II. And be it enacted, that no alien or person not born within the allegiance of our sovereign lord the king, his heirs and successors… shall from and after the first day of February, which will be in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred sixty-one, exercise the trade or occupation of a merchant… upon pain of the forfeiture and loss of all his goods and chattels [or personal property]… which are in his possession…
XVIII. And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that… no sugars, tobacco, cotton-wool, indigoes, ginger, fustic, or other dyeing wood, of the growth, production, or manufacture of any English plantations in America, Asia, or Africa, shall be shipped, carried, conveyed, or transported from any of the said English plantations to any land, island, territory, dominion, port, or place whatsoever, other than to such other English plantations as do belong to his Majesty, his heirs and successors, or to the kingdom of England… under the penalty of the forfeiture of the said goods,… as also of the ship,
Navigation Act of July 27, 1663
British Parliament
And in regard his Majesty’s plantations beyond the seas…; for the maintaining a greater correspondence…between them, and keeping them in a firmer dependence upon [England], and rendering them yet more beneficial [to England]… Be it enacted,… no commodity of the growth, production, or manufacture of Europe shall be imported into any land, island, plantation, colony, territory, or place to his Majesty belonging… in Asia, Africa, or America… but what shall be… laden and shipped in England…
From Busch Notes—Chapter 3 Part 2 and NOT IN TEXT…
******Navigation Laws: a series of laws that restricted the use of foreign ships for trade between Britain and its colonies. THE FIRST ACT IS PASSED IN 1651- The Restoration Acts of 1662, 63, 70, and 73 continued to make minor adjustments…
THEY INCLUDED:
1-ENGLISH TRADE SHOULD BE CARRIED IN ENGLISH VESSELS…
2- THEIR CREWS HAD TO BE ¾ ENGLISH…
3- ENUMERATED GOODS NOT MADE IN ENGLAND BUT PRODUCED ONLY IN THE COLONIES COULD ONLY BE SENT TO ENGLAND (such as Tobacco, Cotton, and Sugar, among others)
4- ALL EUROPEAN GOODS BOUND FOR AMERICA HAD TO LAND IN ENGLAND FIRST AND TAXED BEFORE GOING TO AMERICA.
THIS LEADS TO THE COLONIES SMUGGLING GOODS CONSISTENTLY… ESPECIALLY TO THE FRENCH AND SPANISH WEST INDIES… AS WELL AS ON THE TRIANGLE/ATLANTIC TRADE…
They eventually restrict what can be produced in the colonies…such as Beaver Hats (cannot be made in the colonies… only in England) and other products which are added over time…
These laws reflect the economic theory of MERCANTILISM that guide IMPERIALISM. The colonies exist for the sole benefit of their Mother Country….
How does this fit…with the rights given to ALL colonists under the promise of the Virginia Company Charter… that they would have the same rights as if they lived in England…
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT IN UNDERSTANDING THE BASIS OF WHY….THESE LOYAL COLONISTS BEGIN TO REBEL…remember the reaction to the brief enforcement under the Dominion of New England…and Sir Edmund Andros, 1689-1691… it will repeat itself after the F&I War, 1763**** A TURNING POINT IN HISTORY****