How Mercantilism Helped to Shape the American Nation :: American America History

How Mercantilism Helped to Shape the American NationIn the Middle Ages, the definition of wealth was base on the amount of productive land. According to this definition, France was the wealthiest and therefore the most powerful of the atomic number 63an nations. During the sixteenth century the definition of wealth began to change. As the ability to transfer profitable foreign trade increased, so did the amount of cash. Thus, the new definition of wealth came to mean the gain of cash or specie. Specie included gold, silver, or bullion. The wealthiest nation became the one with the most cash, and therefore, the most powerful nation. As the redefining of wealth took hold, there was an increased desire and ability to conduct foreign trade on a larger scale as cash became the new medium of exchange in contrast to bartering. Mercantilism began to take hold of the countries of Europe. Mercantilism was characterized by the governmental regulation of industries, trade, and commerce. This w as especially true with foreign trade, and was determined more by national aims rather than individual or local interests. This new require for trade began the Age of Expansion in the early fourteen hundreds. This era ushered in a search for new sources of revenues, and focus turned toward the colonization of the new-made World. The Portuguese, Spanish, and English directed many efforts of colonization and development toward this new land in an attempt to establish themselves as the economic leaders of the world. As mercantile system began to change, so did the power flux of the European countries. Thus began the shaping of North America as we know it.The Age of Expansion brought many changes to medieval Europe. During this period, the countries of Europe began to look beyond their borders. In Europe, there was nowhere to grow. This being the case, the only place to turn was west. Portugal came into existence in the early 1400s. It is a small state bordered on one side by the se a, and by Spain on the other. Out of necessity the Portuguese became the masters of the sea. They began to acquire a great intimacy of the sea and advanced in navigation, sailing, and map-making. They also founded an academy of navigation in Lisbon. In the early 1400s, the Portuguese began exploratory voyages. The Portuguese wanted to establish themselves in large-scale international trade. The four things most desired by the people of Europe were spices, sugar, precious metals, and silk.