The Navigation Acts

What were the Navigation Acts?

The Navigation Acts were put in place by the British to control imports and exports from the American colonies. They were a cause of resentment in the colonies.

Why did the American colonies resent the Navigation Acts?

The Navigation Acts were a major cause of resentment in the American colonies.

• ❖ The Navigation Acts (1751-73) said that the colonies could only import and export goods on British ships.
• ❖ This created a British monopoly on trade, as Britain could restrict the goods that were imported and exported, and could control the prices.
• ❖ The colonists often turned to smuggling cheaper goods into America. The Royal Navy arrested smugglers.