Why did the colonies depend on europe for trade?

The colonies depended on Europe because most of the European countries would only allow their colonies to trade with them (and became a large manufacturer.) Therefore without any other colonies/countries to trade with, the dependence upon Europe began.

president thomas jefferson hoped that the embargo act of 1807 would the united states by demonstrating to britain and france their dependence on american goods, convincing them to respect american neutrality and stop impressing american seamen. instead, the act had a devastating effect on american trade.