Which of the following statements best explains the motivations for creating the EIC

Question

The Mughal Empire was monopolizing trade with Europe, which threatened the British
The British government wanted to conquer the Mughal Empire by gaining the support of local nawabs
Mercantilist policies saw economic strength and the protection of trade as key to national security
The Industrial Revolution allowed for the creation of new ship designs and navigation technologies

Answer 1

The statement that best explains the motivations for creating the East India Company (EIC) is:

Mercantilist policies saw economic strength and the protection of trade as key to national security.

During the time of the EIC's establishment, European powers were heavily influenced by mercantilism, which emphasized the importance of trade, control of resources, and national strength. The EIC was formed to facilitate and control trade between Britain and the East Indies, allowing Britain to secure valuable resources while contributing to its national wealth and security.