APUSH Period 2 Mercantilism and Navigation Acts
34 flashcards covering APUSH Period 2 Mercantilism and Navigation Acts for the AP-US-HISTORY Period 2 (1607–1754) section.
Mercantilism and the Navigation Acts are foundational concepts in AP United States History (APUSH) Period 2, which spans from 1607 to 1754. These economic policies, defined by the College Board's APUSH Curriculum Framework, highlight the relationship between the American colonies and Great Britain, emphasizing how trade regulations aimed to benefit the mother country at the expense of colonial autonomy. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping the economic motivations behind colonial policies and the resulting tensions.
On practice exams, questions about mercantilism and the Navigation Acts often present scenarios or primary sources that require students to analyze the impact of these policies on colonial life and governance. Common traps include confusing mercantilism with free trade or overlooking the long-term effects of these regulations on colonial resistance. A frequent pitfall is failing to recognize how these economic frameworks contributed to the growing sentiment for independence among the colonies. A practical tip is to connect these historical concepts to modern economic systems to enhance comprehension and retention.
Terms (34)
- 01
What is mercantilism?
Mercantilism is an economic theory that emphasizes the importance of accumulating wealth, primarily gold and silver, through a favorable balance of trade, especially by exporting more than importing. This theory was prevalent in Europe during the 16th to 18th centuries and influenced colonial policies (College Board AP CED).
- 02
How did the Navigation Acts enforce mercantilism?
The Navigation Acts were a series of laws that restricted colonial trade to England and its colonies, ensuring that profits from colonial goods benefited the English economy. These acts mandated that certain goods produced in the colonies could only be shipped to England or English ships (College Board AP CED).
- 03
What was the purpose of the Navigation Acts?
The primary purpose of the Navigation Acts was to control colonial trade and ensure that it benefited England's economy, thereby supporting mercantilist policies by limiting trade with other nations (College Board AP CED).
- 04
When were the Navigation Acts first enacted?
The first Navigation Act was enacted in 1651, establishing the framework for regulating colonial trade and enforcing mercantilist policies (College Board AP CED).
- 05
Which goods were primarily affected by the Navigation Acts?
The Navigation Acts primarily affected goods such as tobacco, sugar, and cotton, which were required to be shipped to England or through English ships, reinforcing mercantilist trade practices (College Board AP CED).
- 06
What was the impact of the Navigation Acts on colonial economies?
The Navigation Acts led to increased economic dependency of the colonies on England, often resulting in frustration among colonists who sought to trade with other nations for better prices and goods (College Board AP CED).
- 07
How did colonists respond to the Navigation Acts?
Colonists often resisted the Navigation Acts through smuggling and illegal trade with other nations, demonstrating their dissatisfaction with British economic control (College Board AP CED).
- 08
What was the significance of the Molasses Act of 1733?
The Molasses Act of 1733 imposed a tax on imported molasses from non-British colonies, aiming to protect British sugar planters in the West Indies and enforce mercantilist policies, which led to widespread smuggling by colonists (College Board AP CED).
- 09
What role did the Dominion of New England play in enforcing the Navigation Acts?
The Dominion of New England, established in 1686, aimed to centralize control over New England colonies and enforce the Navigation Acts more effectively, leading to increased colonial resentment (College Board AP CED).
- 10
How often were the Navigation Acts enforced?
The enforcement of the Navigation Acts varied, with periods of strict enforcement followed by lax enforcement, especially during the period known as 'salutary neglect' when colonial governance was less strict (College Board AP CED).
- 11
What was salutary neglect?
Salutary neglect refers to the British policy of allowing the colonies considerable freedom in economic matters, which led to a lack of enforcement of the Navigation Acts and greater colonial autonomy (College Board AP CED).
- 12
Which of the following was a consequence of mercantilism in the colonies?
A consequence of mercantilism in the colonies was the growth of a merchant class that engaged in trade, leading to economic diversification and tensions with British authorities over trade restrictions (College Board AP CED).
- 13
What was the effect of mercantilism on colonial relationships with Native Americans?
Mercantilism often led to increased colonial expansion and competition for land and resources, resulting in conflicts with Native American tribes as colonists sought to exploit these resources (College Board AP CED).
- 14
Under the Navigation Acts, what was required for colonial trade?
Under the Navigation Acts, colonial trade was required to be conducted on English ships or ships from the colonies, ensuring that trade profits benefited England (College Board AP CED).
- 15
What was the role of the British Board of Trade?
The British Board of Trade was established to oversee colonial trade and ensure compliance with the Navigation Acts, reflecting the British government's interest in regulating colonial economies (College Board AP CED).
- 16
Which colonial region was most affected by the Navigation Acts?
The New England colonies were most affected by the Navigation Acts due to their reliance on trade and shipbuilding, which were directly impacted by these regulations (College Board AP CED).
- 17
What was the impact of the Navigation Acts on colonial manufacturing?
The Navigation Acts limited colonial manufacturing by restricting the production of certain goods that could compete with British products, thereby maintaining British economic dominance (College Board AP CED).
- 18
How did the Navigation Acts contribute to colonial identity?
The Navigation Acts contributed to a growing sense of colonial identity by fostering resentment towards British control and encouraging a spirit of independence and self-reliance among colonists (College Board AP CED).
- 19
What was the Sugar Act of 1764?
The Sugar Act of 1764 was a law that reduced the tax on molasses but strengthened enforcement of the Navigation Acts, aiming to curb smuggling and increase revenue for Britain (College Board AP CED).
- 20
How did mercantilism influence British colonial policy?
Mercantilism influenced British colonial policy by prioritizing the economic interests of the mother country, leading to regulations that sought to maximize exports and minimize imports from other nations (College Board AP CED).
- 21
What was the role of colonial assemblies in response to the Navigation Acts?
Colonial assemblies often protested against the Navigation Acts by passing resolutions and organizing boycotts, reflecting growing tensions between colonial governance and British authority (College Board AP CED).
- 22
Which act was designed to tighten control over colonial trade in 1660?
The Act of 1660, part of the Navigation Acts, was designed to tighten control over colonial trade by specifying that only English ships could transport goods to and from the colonies (College Board AP CED).
- 23
What was the impact of the Navigation Acts on the slave trade?
The Navigation Acts facilitated the growth of the slave trade by ensuring that enslaved Africans were transported on British ships, thereby integrating slavery into the mercantilist economy (College Board AP CED).
- 24
What was the primary goal of the British mercantilist system?
The primary goal of the British mercantilist system was to increase national wealth and power by maintaining a favorable balance of trade and controlling colonial resources (College Board AP CED).
- 25
How did the Navigation Acts affect the price of goods in the colonies?
The Navigation Acts often led to higher prices for goods in the colonies due to the restrictions on trade and competition, as colonists were limited to British suppliers (College Board AP CED).
- 26
What was the role of the Royal Governors in enforcing the Navigation Acts?
Royal Governors were responsible for enforcing the Navigation Acts in the colonies, often leading to conflicts with colonial legislatures over trade policies and governance (College Board AP CED).
- 27
What was the significance of the Currency Act of 1764?
The Currency Act of 1764 prohibited colonies from issuing their own paper money, further asserting British control over colonial economies and trade practices (College Board AP CED).
- 28
What economic activities were restricted by the Navigation Acts?
The Navigation Acts restricted economic activities such as direct trade with foreign nations and the production of certain goods that could compete with British imports (College Board AP CED).
- 29
Which colonial reaction exemplified resistance to the Navigation Acts?
Smuggling and the establishment of illegal trade networks exemplified colonial resistance to the Navigation Acts, as colonists sought to bypass British restrictions (College Board AP CED).
- 30
What was the impact of mercantilism on colonial social structures?
Mercantilism impacted colonial social structures by creating a wealthy merchant class that influenced politics and society, leading to increased social stratification (College Board AP CED).
- 31
How did the Navigation Acts contribute to the American Revolution?
The Navigation Acts contributed to the American Revolution by fostering resentment towards British economic control, leading to calls for greater autonomy and independence among colonists (College Board AP CED).
- 32
What was the role of the British Navy in enforcing the Navigation Acts?
The British Navy played a crucial role in enforcing the Navigation Acts by patrolling colonial waters to prevent smuggling and ensure compliance with trade regulations (College Board AP CED).
- 33
How did the Navigation Acts affect the development of American ports?
The Navigation Acts stimulated the development of American ports, particularly in New England, as they became centers for trade and shipbuilding under British regulations (College Board AP CED).
- 34
What was the effect of the Navigation Acts on colonial agriculture?
The Navigation Acts affected colonial agriculture by promoting the cultivation of cash crops, such as tobacco and sugar, which were in demand in England, while limiting other agricultural practices (College Board AP CED).