Question

What was the economic philosophy of mercantilism?

A. Colonies exist to enrich the home country and therefore shouldn’t be allowed to trade with anyone except the home country

B. Colonies extend an empire’s trading posts to distant locations and therefore should try to cultivate as many new trading partners as possible

C. Merchants and trade are the keys to a nation’s wealth and therefore free trade must be preserved at all costs

Answer 1

Answer: C

Explanation:

A. Is wrong because mercantalism is the notion (idea) that trading is the key to profitability. This idea came about during a time when gold and silver were being traded, so it was determined that trading was basically the key to profits. That said, this option is irrelevant.

B. This is also irrelevant. Mercantilism  is simply the idea that trading/merchants can make a nation extremely wealthy, not the complicated policies  involved in trading, like what trade posts go where, etc.

C. True. It matches the definition

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mercantilism.asp

Hope this helps :)) Brainliest would be appreciated :D