What Is Mercantilism Essay Example

According to the definition in the America Past and Present history book, mercantilism is an economic theory that influenced imperial policy throughout the colonial period. It was founded on the belief that the world's wealth was limited. To enhance its wealth, a country had to export more goods than it imported. To achieve this balance, favorable trade and protective economic policies were crucial, along with acquiring new colonies that were abundant in raw materials.

During the reign of Charles II, English policy makers believed that they had developed a cohesive understanding of international trade and formulated a strategic set of mercantilist government policies. However, their primary focus was resolving their own issues, leading to the emergence of English commercial regulations due to the absence of regulati