Which legislation was established to regulate trade and protect American shipping?

The Embargo Act was enacted in 1807 as a response to ongoing conflicts and trade disputes with France and Great Britain. Its primary objective was to stop American ships from trading with foreign nations, essentially aiming to protect American shipping interests and assert economic independence. By halting trade, the United States hoped to pressure Britain and France to respect American neutrality and maritime rights without resorting to military conflict. This legislation represented a significant effort to regulate trade and safeguard American maritime activities, reflecting the government's commitment to protecting its own shipping industry during a tumultuous period.

While the other options involve trade and shipping regulations, they do not specifically focus on embargoing trade as a means of protection in the same way the Embargo Act does. The Tariff Act primarily deals with taxation on imports to protect domestic industries, the Navigation Act focused on regulating colonial trade routes and ensuring it benefitted England, and the Treaties of Ghent resolved the War of 1812 but did not create any specific regulations for trade or shipping. Hence, the Embargo Act stands out for its aim to directly regulate and protect American shipping.