Wool Act

The Wool Act of 1699 was a British law that restricted the manufacture and export of wool within the American colonies. It prohibited the shipment of woolen fabrics across colonial boundaries, aiming to prevent the colonies from competing with English wool producers. This act was part of a broader mercantilist economic policy where colonies were expected to supply raw materials to the mother country and serve as markets for its manufactured goods. While such acts were intended to benefit Britain, they often led to resentment and evasion by colonists, contributing to a growing spirit of insubordination. The American hat industry faced similar restrictions under the Hat Act of 1732.12