In 1651, the English Parliament passed the first of the Navigation Acts, a series of laws that restricted colonial trade to English ships and ports. The acts were designed to ensure that the economic benefits of the colonies flowed to England, establishing a system of mercantilism. These laws had a profound impact on the American colonies, stifling their economic independence and contributing to growing tensions with the mother country. The Navigation Acts were a major factor leading to the American Revolution.

The Navigation Acts, while not a direct subject of poetry, represent a theme of colonial exploitation and resistance that is central to American literature. The economic restrictions they imposed are a backdrop for the works of writers who examine the relationship between the colonies and England. The acts are often referenced in literature that explores the causes of the American Revolution, symbolizing the clash between colonial rights and imperial power.