Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade · US History

How did the mercantilist system reinforce the slave trade?

  1. It encouraged colonies to be self-sufficient and use only local labor
  2. It banned the use of any labor that was not English-born
  3. It viewed enslaved labor as an input to produce raw materials for the mother country
  4. It prioritized the basic human rights of all workers over the accumulation of colonial gold
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Correct answer: It viewed enslaved labor as an input to produce raw materials for the mother country

Mercantilism aimed to maximize exports and minimize imports. Enslaved labor allowed the colonies to produce massive amounts of raw goods (like sugar and tobacco) at a low cost, which were then processed and sold for profit in Europe.

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