The Navigation Acts were designed to enforce the dictates of British commercial policy in the seventeenth century.
Further Explanation:
During the 1600's (aka 17th century) Great Britain grew rapidly thanks to their colonization efforts in North America. After developing the first permanent English settlement (Jamestown) in 1607, Great Britain continued to fund travels to the New World in order to establish colonies. One of the main reasons for funding these trips was to establish a mercantilist system.
Mercantilism is an economic system in which a colony provides natural resources to a parent (sometimes known as mother) country. In return, the parent country develops manufactured goods from these natural resources and sends them back to the colony to sell for a profit. The goal of this system is to make the parent country rich. In return for resources and constant trade, the parent country promises military protection and stability for the colony.
The British tried to enforce this system through the Navigation Acts of the 1660's. The goal of these laws was to limit colonial trade to Britain. At this time, colonists would try to trade with other countries like Spain and France. These Navigation Acts would not go over well with the colonists. This system would ultimately fall apart after the French and Indian War (1754-1763).
Learn More:
French and Indian War and its impact- https://brainly.com/question/5218632
Mercantilism explained- https://brainly.com/question/599745 and https://brainly.com/question/97344
Key Details:
Topic: American History, Colonial History
Grade Level: 9-12
Keywords: Mercantilism, Navigation Acts, Great Britain, American colonies
