Question

Using a specific example, analyze ONE reason that England used to justify its control of its colonies.
in short

Answer 1

One reason England justified its control over its colonies was the idea of "mercantilism." This economic theory posited that a nation's power depended on its wealth, particularly in gold and silver, which could be accumulated through a favorable balance of trade. A specific example is the Navigation Acts, enacted in the 1650s, which required that certain goods produced in the colonies, such as tobacco and sugar, be shipped exclusively to England. This ensured that England benefited economically from its colonies, providing it with raw materials and markets for finished goods. By controlling trade, England aimed to enhance its wealth and strengthen its global power, reasoning that its colonies existed primarily to serve the economic interests of the mother country.