Wat is mercantilism in american history?

Question:

Wat is mercantilism in american history?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: The first country to introduce mercantilism in America was Spain. The Spanish American colonies were not allowed
to trade directly with Europe. Instead they had to funnel all of the sugar and tobacco, two common commodities of the new land, through Spain. When this was done, heavy custom duties were imposed and the central government gained. Spanish American colonies were forced into providing precious metals and raw materials to the mother country.
These colonies existed only to enrich Spain, even if the economic policies adversely effected the well-being of the colonies. This grip caused the central economy of Spain to grow at the expense of the colonies. During the duration of this period, the 1500's through the 1700's, mercantilism had a major effect on the economies in the new world.
English speaking colonies were effected by England's policies and acts. These policies and acts were means of controlling the economy of the colonies in America and strengthen the central government of England.