Explain why Henry VII passed the Negotiation Acts

The second reason why Henry passed the Navigation Acts was to reduce, if not stop, the cost of hiring foreign ships to export English cloth. Because the acts encouraged an increase in construction of English ships, the trade industry could use more English ships to export goods rather than having a having to resort to hiring foreign ships because of the deficit of English ships. The hiring of foreign ships was expensive and reduced profits from exports of cloth and wool, consequently Henry VII’s decision to pass the Navigation Acts was probably swayed by the attractive increase in profits from the increased availability of English ships. These Navigation Acts in 1485 and 1489 ad some success however by the end of Henry’s reign 50% of England’s exports were still carried out by foreign ships.

The third reason why Henry passed the two Navigation Acts was because the increase of English ships being part of the acts worked as a defensive measure as well as improving exports. The increase in the amount of English ships meant they were not only available for trade but in times of war they could be used to defend areas. Also, because of the acts, there would be a big surplus of ships so in times of war it is possible that some ships could remain useful to the trade industry. Since the Navigation Acts would ensure the increase of ships which had multiple advantages for Henry e.g. defence, Henry signed the two acts in 1485 and 1489.

The most important reason for Henry’s decision to pass the two Navigation Acts was the acts’ encouragement to build more ships. The increase in ships was the main purpose of the acts and this would ensure the maximum amount of exports left England. Therefore this aspect was of far greater importance in influencing Henry’s decision than the added benefit of an increased profit because of reduced use of foreign ships, and also the benefit of added defence.