Mercantilism, which grew with the transatlantic trade route, implied the belief that a country's wealth and power were dependent on its ability to accumulate precious metals, especially gold and silver, through a favorable balance of trade. This economic theory promoted policies such as protectionism, colonialism, and the establishment of monopolies in order to increase exports and decrease imports, thereby accumulating more precious metals. Additionally, mercantilism emphasized the importance of a strong central government's intervention in the economy to achieve these goals.
