American Colonies Role In The Mercantilist System

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In the mercantilist system, American colonies were expected to help the crown achieve a favorable balance of trade, favorable specie inflow, economic self-sufficiency and an export surplus. Colonies were expected to supply products which would otherwise have to be obtained from non-imperial sources, generate exports by the production and sale of products in high demand outside the empire, and provide a market for the mother country's exports. The mother country would provide the colonies with centralized governmental control of the economy, as well as naval and military protection.