Mercantilism in colonial times held that wealth is fixed and colonies should operate for the benefit of the mother country; what practice did this philosophy promote?

Mercantilism in colonial times held that wealth is fixed and colonies should operate for the benefit of the mother country; what practice did this philosophy promote?

• A. Colonial trade should pass through the mother country
• B. Independence from Britain in trade
• C. Free trade with all nations
• D. Colonies should be self-governing in trade

Answer: (A)

Mercantilism holds that wealth is limited and national power grows by controlling trade and accumulating precious metals. To strengthen the mother country, colonies are expected to supply raw materials and to purchase manufactured goods from the homeland, with trade tightly regulated. The practice that fits this philosophy is that colonial trade should pass through the mother country, allowing the home nation to tax, regulate, and profit from all transactions. This setup keeps wealth confined to the mother country and sustains a favorable balance of trade. Choices proposing independence in trade, free trade with others, or self-governing trade would undermine this controlled, wealth-maximizing system.

Mercantilism holds that wealth is limited and national power grows by controlling trade and accumulating precious metals. To strengthen the mother country, colonies are expected to supply raw materials and to purchase manufactured goods from the homeland, with trade tightly regulated. The practice that fits this philosophy is that colonial trade should pass through the mother country, allowing the home nation to tax, regulate, and profit from all transactions. This setup keeps wealth confined to the mother country and sustains a favorable balance of trade. Choices proposing independence in trade, free trade with others, or self-governing trade would undermine this controlled, wealth-maximizing system.