Which of the following ideas is not part of the economic theory of Mercantilism?

a. Only a limited amount of wealth exists in the world
b. Nations must increase their wealth in order to increase power
c. Nations should maximize their precious metals holdings
d. Colonies should be formed in order to gain access to raw materials
e. Colonies should develop manufacturing and export their manufactured goods

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Disclaimer: This question is just for testing your knowledge of AP US History… it is not intended to be a “sample question” from the AP US History Exam! That’s what APUSH practice tests are for.




e. Colonies should develop manufacturing and export their manufactured goods

Mercantilism calls for colonies to rely on the home country for manufactured goods and, as a result, the home country’s manufacturing sector gains a new and (theoretically) very loyal customer. The thirteen colonies cooperated for a while, but England eventually found it too difficult to enforce their Mercantilist policies with any consistency.

mercantilism, ap us history

British Colonies weren’t supposed to make stuff, they were supposed to buy it from The Man back home