Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

navigation-acts

Noun

/ˈnæv.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən ækts/

Definition

Legislation enacted to regulate colonial trade and enable England to collect taxes from colonies.

Examples

The Navigation Acts restricted colonial trade to English vessels.
Many colonies protested against the Navigation Acts, seeing them as unfair restrictions.
The implementation of the Navigation Acts played a significant role in the growing discontent that led to the American Revolution.

Meaning

Navigation Acts were a series of laws designed to control trade between England and its colonies, ensuring that goods were transported on English ships, which benefited the English economy.