The Politics of Trade
The Politics of Trade
Commerce was the most contentious issue in Anglo‐American relations after the war. Americans regarded the development of a merchant marine and oceanic trade as essential elements of their independence. They hoped for a connection with Britain based on equality: Britain would have access to their market, while they would be able to trade freely throughout the British empire, especially with the West Indies. Britain hoped to recover American markets, but those who devised post‐war commercial policy were determined both to protect British shipping and to limit American maritime competition by excluding American ships from the West Indies and other British colonies. Negotiations with America for a commercial treaty were broken off. This situation was intensely resented in America. There were advocates in Britain of free trade with the Americans, but the exclusions remained the policy of the British government.
Keywords: commerce, free trade, shipping, British empire, West Indies, markets
Oxford Scholarship Online requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books within the service. Public users can however freely search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter.
Please, subscribe or login to access full text content.
If you think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian.
To troubleshoot, please check our FAQs , and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us .
