In a nutshell, the mercantilist economy helped bring about the revolutionary war by creating a situation in which the colonies were economically dependent on Great Britain, and thus had a vested interest in rebelling against the British government.
The basic premise of mercantilism is that a country’s wealth is measured by its stockpile of gold and silver. Thus, the goal of mercantilist economic policy is to increase a country’s stockpile of precious metals. To do this, mercantilist countries seek to export more than they import, and to discourage their citizens from buying imported goods.
In the case of the American colonies, the British government enacted a series of mercantilist policies designed to keep the colonies economically dependent on Great Britain. For example, the Navigation Acts limited the types of goods that the colonies could trade with other countries, and required that all trade be conducted through British ports. The result was that the colonies became increasingly reliant on British imports, and less able to develop their own manufacturing industries.
The impact of these mercantilist policies was to stifle economic growth in the colonies and make them increasingly resentful of British rule. This resentment ultimately helped to spark the American Revolution.
Other related questions:
How did mercantilism contribute to the Revolutionary War?
Mercantilism was an economic theory that was popular in the 1600s and 1700s. It stated that a country’s wealth was measured by its gold and silver reserves. A country could increase its wealth by exporting more goods than it imported. This theory was used to justify the colonization of other countries. The British government used mercantilism to justify its policies towards the American colonies. The British placed taxes on the colonists to pay for the costs of the Seven Years’ War. The colonists felt that they were being taxed without being represented in Parliament. This led to the American Revolution.
How did mercantilism contribute to the American Revolution quizlet?
Mercantilism contributed to the American Revolution by helping to create a more unified and organized colonial resistance to British policies. Mercantilism also contributed to the growth of American nationalism and helped to create an American identity.
How did mercantilism affect the American colonists economically?
Mercantilism was an economic system that placed emphasis on the accumulation of gold and silver by a nation. This system also discouraged colonies from trading with other nations, and instead encouraged them to trade only with the mother country. This system had a negative impact on the American colonists, as it restricted their ability to engage in international trade.
How did mercantilism help the economy?
There are a few ways in which mercantilism helped the economy. One way is that it created incentives for businesses to invest in new technologies and to expand their production. This helped to spur economic growth and create new jobs. Additionally, mercantilism helped to create new markets for goods and services, which also contributed to economic growth. Finally, mercantilism encouraged businesses to become more efficient in their production processes, which helped to lower the cost of goods and services and improve the standard of living for consumers.
Bibliography
- Mercantilism and the Colonies of Great Britain – Investopedia
- The Declaration of Independence – USHistory.org
- Mercantilism in the Colonies of British North America
- Chapter 4: British Mercantilism and the Cost of Empire
- Mercantilist Policy: The American Colonies | Oxford
- The Navigation Acts (article) | Khan Academy
- Mercantilism’s for APUSH | Simple, Easy, Direct – Apprend.io