What is mercantilism? an economic theory that stressed the importance of colonies as sources of raw materials an economic system in which private businesses profited from the free market a system in which land was given to colonists in exchange for them teaching Christianity to the natives of the land the second leg of the trans-Atlantic trading system, in which slaves were loaded onto ships and brought to the Americas

The correct answer is an economic theory that stressed the importance of colonies as sources of raw materials.

When Britain began to dominate and control much of the North American continent, they established a system of mercantilism. This economic system saw Great Britain create a favorable balance of trade in which they exploited the colonies for their raw materials. In return, Great Britain would turn these raw materials into finished products. Then, Great Britain would send these finished products to the American colonies and would sell them for a significant profit. This sytem was meant to solely benefit Great Britain, as the colonies were just seen as a territory filled with resources.