They believed that smuggling was not at all a crime because the laws were very unjust. The Navigation Acts were laws that were meant to enrich England, and only benefit them.
After the collapse it become a "democratic" nation so US saw it as less of a enemy. Also, it become a lot weaker so it wasn't as big of a rival or threat to the USA. Allowing it to trade and work together on major projects.
I'm pretty sure (1) Trade with Asia is right because the plague was carried by rats on ships coming from the East to the West.
Also, you can guess by the dates. The Black Death was in the 12th and 13th centuries, while conquest of Japan and exploration of the Western Hemisphere were in the 14th century.
Answer:
free from outside control; not depending on another's authority.
Explanation:
