Mercantilism In British North America

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6. The role of mercantilism played a major role in the development of British North America. Mercantilism made it that the colonies would supply raw materials to the mother country, which led to many trade restrictions, this stunted the growth and freedom of colonial business. Britain passed the Navigation Acts, laws that were to make American colonies more dependent on England. Certain goods could only be sold to England, such as sugar and tobacco. For a period of time, Edmund Burke created an idea of Salutary Neglect, which meant that England would leave them alone, and they were able to do rule how they wanted, as long as they remained profitable and abided by English rules, this ended however with the end of the French and Indian war.

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