by1600 englands rulers had accepted the idea of mercantilism.colonies and trading post in Asia and America were needed to keep England strong.it is the idea that a countrygains power by building up its supply of gold and silver.but,great Britain controlled the colonies trad according to the ideas of mercantilism
Mercantilism is the idea that a colony should export more goods than it imports; and that a colony should sell at higher prices and buy at lower prices.