Prohibitory Act

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Prohibitory Act of 1776 was Britain's way of retaliating against an American revolt. This act was enacted as one of the precursors to the American Revolutionary War. Basically, it 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.

1 History
2 Statute
3 Reactions
4 Effect
5 References

[edit] History

In late 1775, leaders of Britain's Parliament 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 was attacking the King's soldiers
The colonies had taken the power of government from Britain

[edit] 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.”

[edit] 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

[edit] 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.