Mercantilism: notes and terms

Mercantilism --Under mercantilism, the government directed all economic activities within its borders, subordinating private profit to public good. In particular, government tried to minimize imports and maximize exports. England applied this doctrine to America. But to make the system work, Britain would have to control America too, keep it from trading with other partners. --But many English attempts at controlling American trade = unenforced. 1 reason = sheer distance between colonies and England. Second = politics. Almost all of …

…discourage trappers, and turn them into farmers. But few did, and Louis failed. Local governors saw strategic advantage of traders' friends, the Indians, whom the traders often led on raids on outer English settlements. --Later, while war raged in Europe from 1689-1713, European powers left America alone. But English Americans fought French Americans for territory, by themselves and with Indians. By Treaty of Utrecht, 1713, England got Hudson Bay Territory acknowled ged, and received Nova Scotia.