By violating the Navigation Acts and developing their own trading patterns, were the American colonies also creating their own mercantile system?
Yes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercantilism
how?
How would you apply the discussion of mercantilism in that article to the colonists' developing their own trading patterns?
To answer this question, we need to understand the Navigation Acts and the concept of a mercantile system.
The Navigation Acts were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in the 17th and 18th centuries. These acts were designed to regulate colonial trade and ensure that most of the wealth generated by the American colonies would flow back to Great Britain. Under the Navigation Acts, trade between Great Britain and the colonies was to be conducted exclusively on British ships, and certain goods produced in the colonies were allowed to be exported only to Britain.
The mercantile system, also known as mercantilism, was an economic philosophy prevalent during the same time period. It emphasized the accumulation of wealth, particularly in the form of gold and silver, through a favorable balance of trade. Under this system, colonies were seen as sources of raw materials to supply the mother country with goods, while the colonies themselves were expected to import finished goods from the mother country. This allowed the mother country to maintain a favorable balance of trade and accumulate wealth.
Now, let's evaluate whether the American colonies, by violating the Navigation Acts and developing their own trading patterns, were creating their own mercantile system.
While the American colonies did engage in trade outside the restrictions of the Navigation Acts, it's important to note that they were not intentionally creating their own mercantile system. Rather, their actions were driven by economic necessity and a desire for greater autonomy.
The American colonies had abundant natural resources and were capable of producing various goods that were in demand. However, due to the restrictions imposed by the Navigation Acts, they were often limited in their trade options and had to rely heavily on Great Britain for their imports. This led to economic hardships and a desire to seek alternative trading partners.
Through smuggling and illicit trade, the American colonies found ways to bypass the Navigation Acts and establish trading relationships with other countries, such as the West Indies, Europe, and even other British colonies. This allowed them to diversify their trading patterns and reduce their dependency on Great Britain.
While these actions can be seen as a form of resistance and an early step towards economic independence, it would be inaccurate to describe the American colonies' activities as creating their own mercantile system. The colonies did not have the power or resources to establish a comprehensive economic philosophy or control trade on a large scale. Instead, their actions can be seen as a response to the limitations imposed on them and a desire for greater economic freedom rather than an intentional creation of their own mercantile system.
In summary, while the American colonies violated the Navigation Acts and developed their own trading patterns, they were not creating their own mercantile system. Their actions were driven by economic necessity and a desire for greater autonomy rather than a deliberate attempt to establish a comprehensive economic philosophy.