What was the purpose of the Navigation Acts enacted by the British Parliament in the 1650s?

The purpose of the Navigation Acts, enacted by the British Parliament in the 1650s, was primarily to regulate trade within the British Empire and ensure that such trade benefited Britain economically. These laws required that certain goods produced in the colonies, known as enumerated goods, be shipped only to England or other English colonies. By controlling colonial trade in this manner, Britain aimed to strengthen its own economic position, maintain a favorable balance of trade, and secure a source of revenue through taxation on these transactions.

The acts played a significant role in shaping the relationship between Britain and its colonies, fostering a system that favored British merchants over foreign competitors. This approach was intended to prevent the colonies from trading directly with rival nations, thus solidifying Britain's grip on colonial commerce and undermining any economic independence that the colonies might strive for. Over time, the strict enforcement of these acts contributed to colonial resentment and the eventual push for independence.