Prohibitory Act
Act of Parliament | |
Territorial extent | British America and the British West Indies |
---|---|
Dates | |
Royal assent | 22 December 1775 |
Other legislation | |
Repealed by | Statute Law Revision Act 1861 |
Status: Repealed | |
Text of statute as originally enacted |
The Prohibitory Act was British legislation in late 1775 that cut off all trade between the Thirteen Colonies and England and removed the colonies from the King's protection.[1] In essence, it was a declaration of economic warfare by Britain as punishment to the American colonies for the rebellion against the King and British rule that became known as the American Revolutionary War.
The Prohibitory Act references two acts passed by the last session of Parliament that were known as the
Background
In October 1775, the
The goal was to destroy the American economy by prohibiting trade with any country. The Act, being a virtual declaration of war, furnished the colonists with an excuse for throwing off all allegiance to the king. John Adams regarded the Act as the straw that broke the camel's back.[2]
Aftermath
The Prohibitory Act served as an effective declaration of war by Great Britain since a blockade is an
At the same time, the British had imported bands of foreign auxiliaries, including the Hessians, into the American colonies to suppress the rebellion. The British had also stirred up hostile bands of Native Americans on the frontier by the King's men to raid the colonists. Concluding that they no longer had the King's protection, the colonists responded with the Declaration of Independence.
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.[3]
References
- ^ Gillon, S. "Congress opens all U.S. ports to international trade". History.com. A&E Television Networks. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ Forman, Samuel Eagle (1922). Our Republic: A Brief History of the American People. Century. p. 71. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ From John Adams to Horatio Gates, 23 March 1776