What legislative acts were created to maintain trade balance between Britain and its colonies?

The Navigation Acts were a series of laws passed by the English Parliament, particularly during the 17th century, aimed at regulating trade between England and its colonies. The main goal of these acts was to ensure that trade benefitted England economically and maintained a favorable balance of trade. They required that certain goods produced in the colonies could only be shipped to England or English-approved ports, which reinforced Britain's control over colonial trade.

These acts were significant because they not only stimulated the growth of English shipping but also restricted colonial trade with other nations, thus ensuring a steady flow of resources to England. This legislative framework laid the foundation for the mercantilist policies that dominated British colonial rule, emphasizing the importance of trade in sustaining the economic power of the empire.

Understanding the role of the Navigation Acts is essential in comprehending the economic relationship between Britain and its colonies, as these laws were central to fostering dependency on colonial goods while simultaneously protecting English interests against foreign competition.