Document 2,Navigation Act of September 13, 1660 (An Excerpt) highlights Britain’s attempt to control commerce through international trade restrictions. The Navigation Act of September 13, 1660 which reinforces the Navigation Ordinance of 1651, an English government policy that banned foreign ships and third-party countries ships from transporting goods from outside Europe to England or any of its colonies. Under the Navigation Act, three-quarters of the ships’ crews must be English and products not produced by England could only be shipped from the colonies to England or other English colonies.
Leading up to the time of the Revolutionary War, seven policies were passed by Britain in hopes of controlling the colonies. These acts culminated in the Quebec Act which persuaded many Americans into supporting the revolutionary effort. The Proclamation of 1763 was the first policy passed by the British. This forbid any settlement west of Appalachia because the British feared conflicts over territory in this region. The proclamation, however, infuriated the colonists who planned on expanding westward. The Sugar Act was passed shortly after in 1764. This act sought harsher punishment for smugglers. The next act to be passed was possibly the most controversial act passed by Britain. The Stamp Act passed in 1765 affected every colonist because it required all printed documents to have a stamp purchased from the British authority. The colonist boycotted British goods until the Stamp Act was repealed but quickly replaced by the Declaratory Act in 1766. The British still held onto the conviction that they had the right to tax the Americans in any way they deemed necessary. The Declaratory Act was followed by the Townshend Acts of 1767. This imposed taxes on all imported goods from Britain, which caused the colonies to refuse trading with Britain. Six years passed before another upsetting act was passed. In 1773, the Tea Act placed taxes on tea, threatening the power of the colonies. The colonies, however, fought back by pouring expensive tea into the Boston harbor in an event now known as the Boston Tea Party. The enraged Parliament quickly passed the Intolerable Acts, shutting down the port of Boston and taking control over the colonies.
For example, the Navigation Acts of 1660 and 1663 specified a number of key trade related rules. First, they specified that all colonial trade had to be carried on ships owned by British or colonial traders. Secondly, all colonial goods bound for North America had to pass through certain English ports, in order to be taxed and monitored. Finally, enumerated goods such as sugar were to be shipped only to English ports. Despite these laws existing, the government in London did not enforce them strictly up until 1763. This policy is often referred to as ‘salutary neglect’ and it had the effect of introducing a perceived sense of autonomy and self-determination in the North American colonies. Following 1763, the British government began to enforce the Navigation Acts British lawmakers began to introduce more Acts which further restricted and monitored colonial trade and increased taxes. To the parliament in London this was just enforcing and building upon old laws, an opinion that was not shared by the
On 17 June 1576 the thirty ton bark Gabriel, accompanied by the smaller bark Michael and a tiny pinnace, set sail from London to seek out a north-west sea passage to the treasures of the Orient. The three small vessels, whose total complement was only thirty four men, were commanded by Martin Frobisher. Although the purpose of the voyage was to find a alternate sea route to the east the two subsequent voyages that quickly followed were a prelude to the establishment of English sovereignty in North America. What were the factors that initiated the voyage? Who were the key players in the enterprise and what was the eventual outcome of these three voyages? This essay will attempt to answer those questions.
Self-interest can be seen in many of the writings throughout American history. The mercantile system, as exhibited by the British on the colonies, was an extremely hedonistic approach to gaining wealth for themselves. Mercantilism, as set forth by the Navigation Acts, imposed strict and extremely descriptive laws that would limit and exploit trade in the colonies, allowing Britain to control the wealth and profit of materials and goods in America. These acts were used to keep America from trading with any other countries. As stated in the Navigation Act of 1660, "no goods or commodities whatsoever shall be imported into or exported out of any lands" to his Majesty belonging"in any other ship or ships...as do truly and without fraud belong only to the people of England or Ireland" (Restoration 98). Britain knew that by controlling the colonies in this manner they could take the raw materials out and sell the finished products back, and by doing so they would profit greatly. This mercantile system exemplifies the arrogant minds of the British while America was developing. This system would soon become a failure due to the people's demands to have representation along with taxation, and their desire to separate from England as a free and independent state. Likewise, it was due to self-interest of the greedy planters and the self righteous farmers in the south that slavery was highly used. At that time they needed all the labor they could get, and the cheapest way to obtain it was through the purchase of slaves. Some of the slavery was downplayed by calling it indentured servitude, where servants were essentially slaves for a limited number of years.
The colonies were prohibited from trading with other countries, being limited to only Britain. Navy ships patrolled the area in search for smugglers and manufacturing in the colonies became restricted so it wouldn’t compete with the industries in Great Britain. Worker in the towns had less chances to work and earn money due to the restriction of
One way of the British controlling the colonies was to impose trade regulations on them. They forced the colonies to trade only with them, as dictated by the Navigation Acts and the mercantile system.
The main function of the Embargo act was to terminate all exports to Europe in order to stop impressment of U.S. sailors. While it did operate to end American impressment, the effect of the Embargo Act on the American economy was brutal. American trade plummeted, with exports falling 80% and imports falling 50%. Jefferson knew that ending the Embargo Act would reinstate conflict with Britain; but without doing so, the United States would have been pushed into further financial disarray. In March of 1809, Jefferson replaced the Embargo Act with the second economic sanction, the Non-Intercourse Act, in hopes of reviving the American economy. The Non-Intercourse Act still excluded both Great Britain and France from American trade, but reopened trade with the rest Europe. The Non-Intercourse Act did have an exception to the ban on trade; if either Britain or France agreed to revoke its edicts against American trade, commerce would recommence with that country. However this act did not solve the problem either, as Britain continued impressment upon American sailors. By 1810, Madison enacted another measure known as Macon’s Bill No. 2. The bill allowed trade to resume with both countries, on the condition that embargoes would be placed on countries that interfered with American rights. After progressing attacks from Britain, an embargo was reestablished with England in the spring of
I believe that obtaining the Proclamation Line of 1763 was the right thing to do because, first, it was designed to work out the Indian problem fairly (Kennedy). Second, it was used to calm the fears of the Indians (Proclamation of 1763). Third, it asserted that all of the Indians peoples were thereafter under the protection of the King (Proclamation of 1763). The line was, asserted in order to make sure that no one went to war and caused major damage. The Proclamation Line of 1763 is, therefore, justified by these three points. However, there are opposing thoughts on the Proclamation Line of 1763. The opposing argument others believe is that the Americans should not have had to abide by the Proclamation Line at all (Kennedy). Questions asked about this proclamation line argument, by the Americans, at the time are: “Was not the land beyond the mountains their birthright (Kennedy)?” As well as, “had they not, in addition, purchased it with their blood in the recent war (Kennedy)?” Both sides could be argued, however, I believe the Proclamation Line was necessary.
Although Great Britain emerged victorious in the Seven Years War, it left Great Britain with significant debt. The British looked to America to help it. First the British began enforcing existing laws like the Navigation Acts, which put limits on colonial imports and exports. To enforce these laws better, the British passed the "Writs of Assistance" that gave officials warrants to search anything or anyone suspected of smuggling, anywhere or anytime. British warships would even patrol American harbors to catch potential smugglers. These smugglers, if caught, would be tried in the newly established Admiralty courts. In these courts, the accused had no right to trial by jury, and the judges pocketed a percentage of the fines. The British viewed these courts as insurance to make sure smuggling stopped, juries composed of Americans might be biased, so they were done away with.
6. Interstate Commerce Act - Prohibited rebates and pools and required the railroads to publish their rates openly. Forbade discrimination against shippers and outlawed charging more for a short haul than for a long one over the same line. Created Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to enforce and administer the new legislation. It did not really beat corporate wealth, but it did provide a forum where businesses could resolve their conflicts peaceably.
During the late 16th century and into the 17th century, European nations rapidly colonized the newly discovered Americas. England in particular sent out numerous groups to the eastern coast of North America to two regions. These two regions were known as the Chesapeake and the New England areas. Later, in the late 1700's, these two areas would bond to become one nation. Yet from the very beginnings, both had very separate and unique identities. These differences, though very numerous, spurred from one major factor: the very reason the settlers came to the New World. This affected the colonies in literally every way, including economically, socially, and politically.
Trade was important to the Maritimes. Up to 1846 Britain had provided the British North American colonies with a market for their goods, but then began a policy of free trade. Because there were no tariffs placed on any country the colonies lost a sure market for their goods. Many colonists were concerned that some might consider union with the United States and the British North American colonies was brisk with large amounts of lumber and grain being imported by the U.S. When the Americans ended the Reciprocity Treaty in 1865, many Maritimers became uneasy about the economic future. It became apparent that in order to develop thriving trade; new economic links would have to be developed. 3
One facet of this unique system involved the numerous economic differences between England and the colonies. The English government subscribed to the economic theory of mercantilism, which demanded that the individual subordinate his economic activity to the interests of the state (Text, 49). In order to promote mercantilism in all her colonies, Great Britain passed the Navigation Acts in 1651, which controlled the output of British holdings by subsidizing. Under the Navigation Acts, each holding was assigned a product, and the Crown dictated the quantity to be produced. The West Indies, for example, were assigned sugar production and any other colony exporting sugar would face stiff penalties (Text, 50). This was done in order to ensure the economic prosperity of King Charles II, but it also served to restrict economic freedom. The geographical layout of the American colonies made mercantilism impractical there. The cit...
Arthur Barlowe wrote the journal entitled, “The First Voyage to Roanoke,” and was originally written in 1584 using Old English. This is a description of the reconnaissance voyage to North America’s coast. Arthur Barlowe describes his and his men’s encounter with the natives of America and the native’s knowledge of other surrounding Native Americans. It can be inferred that Barlowe wrote this descriptive account to Sir Walter Raleigh. The intended reader is evident throughout the account. Barlowe mentions that he was instructed and given specific procedures to take note on the new land. It is seen that Barlowe is acquainted with Raleigh as Raleigh himself sent Barlowe off on his expedition at Thames River (Barlowe, 1584, p. 1). It is also noted
Spain were granted the permission by Britain to stop British ships to ensure that Britain were following the agreement. Spain started to believe Britain were taking advantage of the trade agreement so they started to board British ships and even seize the ships along with torturing the crew of the British ships