Prohibitory Act facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An act to prohibit all trade and inter-courses with the colonies of New Hampshire, Massachuset's[sic] Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania[sic], the three lower counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, during the continuance of the present rebellion within the said colonies respectively; for repealing an act, made in the fourteenth year of the reign of his present Majesty, to discontinue the landing and discharging, lading or shipping, of goods, wares, and merchandise, at the town and within the harbor of Boston, in the province of Massachuset's Bay; and also two acts, made in the last session of parliament, for restraining the trade and commerce of the colonies in the said acts respectively mentioned; and to enable any person or persons, appointed and authorised by his Majesty to grant pardons, to issue proclamations, in the cases, and for the purposes therein mentioned. |
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| Citation | 16 Geo. III c.5 |
| Territorial extent | British America and the British West Indies |
Quick facts for kids Text of statute as originally enacted |
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The Prohibitory Act was a law passed by the British government in late 1775. It stopped all trade between the Thirteen Colonies in America and England. This law also meant the King no longer protected the colonies.
It was like Britain declaring an economic warfare against the American colonies. This was a punishment for their rebellion against the King and British rule. This rebellion later became known as the American Revolutionary War.
The Prohibitory Act mentioned two earlier laws called the Restraining Acts 1775. It was also listed as one of the 27 complaints in the American Declaration of Independence.
Why Was the Prohibitory Act Passed?
In October 1775, the British Parliament decided to take stronger actions. They wanted to stop the rebellion happening in the 13 American colonies. Lord North, who was a very important leader, helped make this decision.
To do this, they passed the Prohibitory Act. This law created a blockade, meaning no ships could trade with the 13 colonies. It said "all manner of trade and commerce" would be stopped. Any ship caught trading would be taken by the King. It would be treated as if it belonged to an enemy.
The main goal was to hurt the American economy. By stopping all trade, Britain hoped to make the colonists give up. This Act was almost like a declaration of war. It gave the colonists a strong reason to break away from the King completely. John Adams, an important American leader, felt this Act was the final push.
What Happened After the Act?
The Prohibitory Act acted like a real declaration of war from Great Britain. A blockade is considered an act of war under international rules. The American colonies and their government, the Continental Congress, reacted quickly.
They started issuing "letters of marque". These were special permits that allowed American shipowners to capture British ships. This practice was called privateering.
The Act also pushed the colonists closer to wanting full independence. The King had said his "subjects" were no longer under his protection. He was making war on them, even if they were still loyal or asking for their problems to be fixed.
At the same time, the British brought in foreign soldiers, like the Hessians, to fight in America. The King's men also encouraged some Native American groups to attack the colonists. Feeling they had no protection from the King, the colonists wrote 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.
