English Mercantilism was an economic and political subordination of the colony to the Mother country. England exports furnished goods to the colonies, and in turn imported raw materials from her colonies to feed their industries. Even though many restrictions were placed on the colonist they were able to grow and became more prosperous. There were many advantages that the colonists received from this system, when trade regulations were not rigidly enforced. The colonies experienced many disadvantages to the mercantilism system since to Britain there whole existence was to support the mother country.
England profited from mercantilism policies. When England passed the Navigation Acts of 1650 it ensured that this economic system would be applied in their colonies. This allowed England to preserve its own natural resources while exploited the natural resources of the co
Mercantilism worked to the benefit of the mother country and also the colonies. On the other hand mercantilism proved to be a economic handicap to the colonial economic life. With the help of theses reasons the mother country and the colonies were able to benefit from mercantilism. Even though it was beneficial it was also these reasons that lead to the start of the American Revolution.
Disadvantages were high for the colonies when it came to mercantilism. The First Navigation Act of 1660 itemized such colonial articles such as sugar, tobacco, cotton, and indigo; these were to be supplied only to England. Since Britain thought of colonies less than tenants life for the colonists was hard. Finished products could only be shipped from England to the colonies. It was illegal to send finished products made in the Middle colonies to other colonies Many Americans fou