Prohibitory Act

Prohibitory Act of 1775 was Great Britain's way of retaliating against an American revolt. This was enacted as one of the precursors to the American Revolutionary War. Its goal was to destroy the American economy by making it incapable of operating. The British Navy created a blockade surrounding the colonies so that they could not trade with "any" country.

History

In late 1775, leaders of the Parliament of Great Britain reviewed the relationship between Britain, the mother country, and the 13 colonies of America, and saw a fault. So, they decided to create the Prohibitory Act. Britain used the rationale that:
*The colonies were attempting a rebellion against the King and Parliament
*The colonies had created an army and were attacking the King's soldiers
*The colonies had taken the power of government from Britain

Statute

“All manner of trade and commerce” will be prohibited, and any ship that was found trading “shall be forfeited to his Majesty, as if the same were the ships and effects of open enemies.”

Reactions

“It throws thirteen colonies out of the royal protection, levels all distinctions, and makes us independent in spite of our supplications and entreaties... It may be fortunate that the act of independency should come from the British Parliament rather than the American Congress.”—John Adams

Effect

The Prohibitory Act served as a declaration of economic warfare and did not go unnoticed by the colonies, the colonies and Congress reacted by issuing letters of marque that authorized individual American ship owners to seize British ships in a practice known as privateering

Some of the colonists thought of it as a chance to show how independent they could be. Others, such as the merchants, were outraged.

References

* [http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1272.html American Prohibitory Act]
* [http://www.manhattanrarebooks-history.com/prohibitory_act.htm Prohibitory Acts]