Answer :
"A great distance separated England and the colonies" "England was at war with France and wanted the loyalty of the colonies" and "American merchants were competing with English merchants" are all correct.
I believe the answer is:
- England was at war with France and wanted the loyalty of the colonies
- American merchants were competing with English merchants
- A struggle was going on between the king of England and parliament
- great distance separated England and the colonies
Because of these reasons, navigation act was created in 1651 in order to prevent the colony form trading with other european nations. By doing this, England could keep the profit from the hands of their european competitors Which defintiely help them in their war against france and help the king maintain their position in their country.