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British Mercantilism and the Economic Development of the Thirteen Colonies

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  • Nettels, Curtis P.

Abstract

Mercantilism is defined for this discussion as a policy of government that expressed in the economic sphere the spirit of nationalism that animated the growth of the national state in early modern times. The policy aimed to gain for the nation a high degree of security or self-sufficiency, especially as regards food supply, raw materials needed for essential industries, and the sinews of war. This end was to be achieved in large measure by means of an effective control over the external activities and resources upon which the nation was dependent. In turn, that urge impelled the mercantilists to prefer colonial dependencies to independent foreign countries in seeking sources of supply. If the state could not free itself completely from trade with foreign nations, it sought to control that trade in its own interest as much as possible. To realize such objectives, mercantilism embraced three subordinate and related policies. The Corn Laws fostered the nation's agriculture and aimed to realize the ideal of self-sufficiency as regards food supply. State aids to manufacturing industries, such as the protective tariff, sought to provide essential finished goods, including the sinews of war. The Navigation Acts were intended to assure that foreign trade would be carried on in such a way as to yield the maximum advantage to the state concerned.

Suggested Citation

  • Nettels, Curtis P., 1952. "British Mercantilism and the Economic Development of the Thirteen Colonies," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(2), pages 105-114, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:12:y:1952:i:02:p:105-114_05
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    Cited by:

    1. Edward Kerby & Alexander Moradi & Hanjo Odendaal, 2022. "African time travellers: what can we learn from 500 years of written accounts?," Oxford Economic and Social History Working Papers _201, University of Oxford, Department of Economics.
    2. Thomas D. Curtis, 2014. "Riches, Real Estate, and Resistance: How Land Speculation, Debt, and Trade Monopolies Led to the American Revolution," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(3), pages 474-626, July.
    3. Travis J. Lybbert, 2010. "The Economic Roots Of The American “Zigzag”: Knives, Forks, And British Mercantilism," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 48(3), pages 810-815, July.

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