Question

What was mercantilism, and why did nations that believed in it want colonies?

Answer 1

Mercantilism was profit through colonial rule by trade.

Explanation:

For example, New France was subject to mercantilism by its French rulers, what would happen is that France would buy and sell ONLY to France, and so buying goods from other countries was not permitted. This allowed countries to sell their goods to their colonies for whatever price they wished, and because all the goods from that colony came to them, prices would be cheap for the Imperial power.