As such, this is a short and relatively simple business statement. Nevertheless, the authors were not afraid to describe the economic situation and list the reasons that led to the signing of the agreement. Merchants found taxes heavy, frustrating and restrictive for colonial trade. In addition, some, led by John Dickinson, argued that the taxes were a violation of their rights. They also expressed a dilemma as to whether such taxes could pose a potential threat to American freedom. In addition to reflections and doubts, the document also contained statements on trade on which the undersigned merchants had agreed. In response to Boston`s no-import agreement, the legislature eventually repealed Townshend Revenue Act taxes on all products except tea. Non-import deals in the years leading up to the American Revolution were an effective tactic to protest British policies, pushing the Boston Patriots to the forefront and demonstrating to other colonies the potential for united action. Following the successful boston boycott that began with the Boston No-Import Agreement of 1768, the first Continental Congress passed a colony-wide ban on all trade with Britain in 1774. Other US cities have also introduced similar no-import agreements to oppose unpopular British policies. The use of raw materials, goods produced in the colonies, and the ingenuity of the Yankees were the order of the day. Meanwhile, the American colonies experimented with the idea of being self-sufficient and not relying on the homeland.

This experience will prove invaluable, because in a few years during the Revolution, the British Royal Navy blocked the American coast and closed many major port cities. During the Boston Non-Importation Agreement, traders and merchants agreed to boycott goods subject to the Townshend Revenue Act until taxes on those goods were lifted. Some essential products have been exempted from the boycott, such as salt, hemp and duck cloth. Smuggling was widespread. This was a direct violation of navigation laws. Almost all American communities profited from or participated in the smuggling of illegal goods from Dutch, French and Spanish traders. Smuggling was not only a cheaper alternative to taxed British goods, but also served as an effective means of resisting and undermining British policies. Boston was full of contraband and smugglers. The Sons of Liberty obtained funds for their organization by conducting lucrative smuggling operations.

Smuggling financed much of their resistance to British authority. Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Paul Revere were all known as notorious Boston Patriots smugglers. This boycott lasted until 1770, when the British Parliament was forced to repeal the laws against which the Boston Non-Importation Agreement was targeted. “Boston Non-Import Agreement”. Boston Tea Party. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Retrieved 18 November 2018. During the 1770s, Boston merchants tried in vain to extend the non-import agreement. In May, they learn that Parliament has lifted Townshend`s tariffs (with the exception of the tea tax). The non-import movement quickly collapsed, and the settlers were even the most patriotic settlers eager to reconsume their British luxury.

In October 1770, non-importation died – but not for long. The non-import agreement expired on 1 January 1770. Many traders want to go out: they have warehouses full of British goods for sale and they are eager to resume their trade. Hoping to demonstrate their “zeal in the cause” – despite the offenders among them – Bostonians wrote to the Massachusetts colonial agent in London, assuring him that they were more determined than ever to force the hand of Parliament. The whole struggle of the 1760s can be seen as a firm commitment of the colonialists to economic and political independence, an attempt to eliminate the illegal taxes and customs duties they considered. One such attempt was the Boston Non-Import Agreement, which, while not a great success, also contributed to this struggle, which would later lead to a further escalation of conflicts and later to the American Revolution itself. It can also be concluded that non-imports were also a means of cleaning up inventories, resetting the economy and balancing exchange rates. One of these fraudulent importers was John Hancock, a merchant, statesman and patriot of the American Revolution.

It had the transport of goods from its captains, which was prohibited by the agreement. His ships carried cargoes such as British flax or gunpowder. Another well-known smuggler was Samuel Adams, also a well-known American statesman, who later became one of the organizers of the Boston Tea Party. These smuggling practices were not only an effective way to resist Britain`s high taxes and weaken its policies, but also a cheaper alternative to the goods they wanted. The illegal goods were obtained in particular from Dutch, French and Spanish traders and merchants. .