Trade and Commerce in New France

Mercantilism

• Mercantilism revolves around trade
• Mercantilism is based on the idea  of increasing profits by controlling  who and what can be traded
• Mercantilism moved goods which were abundant in one location to another place where the goods were scarce
• The supply and demand for goods resulted in higher prices and increased profit
• The discovery and colonization of North America propelled foreign trade and increased the amount and volume of merchant activity
• The purpose of the American colonies was to supply raw materials and serve as a market for the finished goods that had been made in England.
• Mercantilism led to significant government intervention and control in the 13 Colonies of Colonial America and New France
• Mercantilism stated that colonies had one main purpose: to enrich the 'mother country'