Why did mercantilism end?

Answer 1

Mercantilism began to decline in the late 18th century due to the rise of free-market economic theories, particularly those proposed by economists like Adam Smith, who argued that trade should be driven by supply and demand rather than government regulation. The Industrial Revolution also shifted economic power dynamics, promoting competition and innovation over state-controlled trade. Additionally, colonial independence movements and the subsequent dismantling of colonial empires reduced the effectiveness of mercantilist policies. Finally, the increasing interconnectedness of global trade networks made strict mercantilist practices less viable.