Evaluate+the+system+of+mercantilism+and+determine+if+the+system+is+sustainable,+or+will+colonies+eventually+revolt+under+this+system?+KH

When a colony is under the mercantilist system, or any system for that matter, it can go one of two ways. The colony can either keep using the system successfully or they can revolt against it. Whether or not a system will succeed or fail, greatly depends on the colony and it's relationship with the mother country. Because of the rules of the mercantilist system, colonies would eventually fail under the mercantilist system.

Mercantilists believed that economic wealth was measured in silver and gold. To amass gold or silver, the country needed to export more than import. The colonies could supplyraw materials to Britain and provide a guaranteed market for their exports.

Britain was determine to control the colonies in every way they could. Mercantilism was one of the ways that they tried. Under mercantilism, they instituted a series of acts. The first of these acts was the Navigation Act of 1650. This stated that all commerce flowing to and from the colonies could be transported only in British vessels. Also, that they had to come to Britain first where Britain collected tariff duties and harvest some of the profit. Another of these acts was the Sugar Act of 1754. This act increased the taxes on foreign sugar imported from the West Indies. Similar to this act was the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act put a tax on stamps to raise revenues to support the new military force in England. All of these acts operated under the mercantilist system. These acts angered the colonists because they felt that they were being taxed by people that did not represent them.

The colonies began to get frustrated with all of the taxes Britain was putting on them. Because of the mercantilist system, the colonies were exporting more than they were importing so all of their exports were getting taxed by Britain. This angered the colonists because they didn't have a choice of where they exported their products to because the of acts such as the Navagation Act. When large masses of people are becoming frustrated with how they are told to run things, rebellion is bound to occur.

The colonies reaction to these acts varied from act to act. The reaction to the Stamp Act was the Stamp Act Congress. This congress was compiled of 27 delegates from 9 colonies that met in New York City. This was a sign of colonies coming together and forming colonial unity. If the colonies remain united, they will be able to revolt as one and be more successful in accomplishing their goal. Another example of colonial unity was the Continental Congress. This congress was established to consider ways of redressing colonial grievances. The colonies forming these groups, shows that they are not happy with the way things (mercantilist system) are being handled. They are starting to come together as one, which shows that their is a consensus of unhappiness. Because they have a common idea and are all unhappy with the current situation, revolt would be the action these colonies would take.

The mercantilist system is a one way street. In theory, it is a fair trade, but in the end, the mother country is the one that ends up with the benefit. In the case of the colonies and Britain, Britain is the mother country to the colonies. When two sides go into something thinking it will be fair, and then it turns out that they get the raw end of the deal, people become unhappy and it will conclude in revolt. Colonies will eventually revolt under this system because they will get fed up with being controlled and taxed by others. An unhappy colony cannot sustain an unsuccessful system. They will want to become independent from their mother country and will want to take advantage of their resources in the way that they please.

I'm sorry this isn't a very good essay!! :( I had trouble with this one!!