What effects did mercantilist policies have on the Americas? Select the two correct answers.
A. The colonies sent raw materials from the Americas to Europe.
B. The colonies focused on producing finished goods.
C. The colonies paid Native Americans to work in the fields and mines.
D. The colonies organized independent governments in the Americas.
E. The colonies had to purchase manufactured goods from one European country.
To determine the effects of mercantilist policies on the Americas, we need to understand what mercantilism is. Mercantilism was an economic policy popular in Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. It aimed to maximize a country's wealth by emphasizing exports and limiting imports.
A. The colonies sent raw materials from the Americas to Europe: This is one correct answer. Under mercantilist policies, the colonies were expected to provide raw materials and resources to Europe, which would then be used to manufacture finished goods.
B. The colonies focused on producing finished goods: This is not a correct answer. As mentioned above, the colonies were primarily engaged in providing raw materials and resources rather than producing finished goods themselves. Manufacturing was mainly done in Europe.
C. The colonies paid Native Americans to work in the fields and mines: This could be a possible effect, but it is not directly tied to mercantilist policies. The treatment of Native Americans varied across different colonies and regions and was influenced by multiple factors including colonization, exploitation, and interactions with European settlers.
D. The colonies organized independent governments in the Americas: This is not a correct answer. Mercantilist policies did not encourage the colonies to establish independent governments. Instead, the colonies were often governed by European powers or had limited autonomy under colonial rule.
E. The colonies had to purchase manufactured goods from one European country: This is another correct answer. Mercantilist policies often required the colonies to purchase manufactured goods exclusively from the mother country. This helped maintain a favorable balance of trade for the European country by preventing rival nations from benefiting economically from the colonies.
Therefore, the correct answers are A. The colonies sent raw materials from the Americas to Europe and E. The colonies had to purchase manufactured goods from one European country.