Western Civilization I / Unit 16 WC1 1518 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Mercantilism: Wealth as a Fixed Pie
Captions available
The idea
Mercantilism held that wealth was finite, land and bullion, so a kingdom grew richer only by seizing territory, running trade surpluses to draw in metal, and holding colonies for raw materials, with the crown overseeing all of it. Spain was the type.
In practice
Trade thought to make nothing; bankers despised.
Where people slip
Mercantilism describes a mindset, not a single law. Video 1529 sorts its statements.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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