by Nick Maziarka

Created on: July 14, 2009   Last Updated: July 30, 2009

British Mercantilism and How it Affected British-American Relations

When dealing in benefits and burdens, absolutes do not always exist. Often, an effect can sit in the realm of both spectrums, proving beneficial in one way, but annoying or detrimental in another. Such was the case for Americans during the time before 1763, in which Britain extended certain mercantilist policies onto its colonial counterpart. Certain aspects of these policies could, without a doubt, be considered beneficial to the economy of America. Other different policies may have, on the other hand, been downright burdensome and unhelpful to the colonists. The colonists, unfortunately, could find fault with and be offended by each policy for a similar reason. Colonial interpretation of British mercantilist policies, blatantly burdensome or even beneficial, as constricting and detrimental created much tension between the American colonists and British mercantilists up to 1763.

British mercantilism, quite naturally, resulted in the most benefit for Britain. The system, itself, was designed for such a purpose. Even though the English would gain the most from their economic system of mercantilism, the Americans could find benefits in certain aspects of the system, as well. Ship-builders found monetary gain in Britain's policies as they received certain bonuses for their work, which helped enhance the British navy. Tobacco planters of the south even had a monopoly on the tobacco trade with Britain. Granted, these planters could not trade with anyone else, they still found consistent dealing with their "mother country". Protection of America, itself, even came free of charge with mercantilism. Colonists did not have to tax their own government for the maintenance of a personal army. Rather, Britain provided their army to Americans. Certain laws on manufacturing and trade may have given America only Britain to sell to, but this was really unavoidable and still yielded profit. Lastly, and importantly, the Americans possessed some freedom to act due to the salutary neglect involved with the Navigation Laws. Not all of the British mercantilist policies were purely oppressive.

Some aspects of the policies enforced by the British, of course, did seem oppressive or selfish at least to an extent. American limits on manufacturing worked more for Britain's economic enhancement than colonists'. There was a lesser freedom to produce and sell goods that Americans wished to. The south's tobacco monopoly

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