AP European History
Mercantilist policies refer to economic strategies and practices adopted by European states from the 16th to the 18th century that aimed to increase national wealth and power through government intervention in the economy. These policies emphasized the importance of a favorable balance of trade, where exports exceeded imports, and often involved the accumulation of precious metals, particularly gold and silver. By fostering colonial expansion and monopolizing trade, mercantilism played a key role in shaping the rise of global markets and the economic development of nations.
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