What was expected of the American colonies under the British mercantile system?

Answer 1

The concept was that the colonies would trade exclusively with Britain. The British would obtain cheap raw materials from the colonies. Then, Britain would make useable goods out of the raw materials and sell the expensive goods back to the colonies.

Answer 2

The Navigation Acts were an attempt to put the theory of Mercantilism into practice in the British colonies. The object of mercantilism was to minimize imports that cost the nation money, and maximize exports that made the nation money. Colonies were a means of reducing England's dependence on foreign nations. Each colony would provide a raw material to England and this would allow the nation to not have to purchase that product from another nation. By establishing colonies loyal to the Crown, Great Britain would be expanding a dependable market for the finished products coming out of British industries. The Navigation Acts required that all colonial trade be carried in vessels built and owned by English or colonial merchants. The ships had to be manned by crews composed of British seamen. The Acts also required that European nations must sell products to the colonies by first stoping at English ports where they would have to pay a customs duty (tax).

Answer 3

In the mercantile system the function of a colony is to provide raw materials. The manufacture of finished goods takes place in the home country.

Answer 4

The colonies existed for the benefit of the parent country and they served as a market for manufactured goods.

Answer 5

The colonies were expected to buy goods from England even if Another Country offered cheaper prices.