Which best describes the role of mercantilism during the 1600s?

a. european colonies in south america grew wealthy by seizing gold from native tribes.
b. european countries wanted to expand their wealth by taxing colonists and native peoples.
c. european countries wanted to expand their wealth by exporting raw materials from colonies.
d. european colonies in north america grew wealthy through lucrative shipbuilding industries.

C. European countries wanted to expand their wealth by exporting raw materials from colonies.

Explanation:

Mercantilism concept makes the colonised countries as raw material exporters and consumers of finished goods which manufactured by the colonial nations. For example, India flourished in the artefacts and weaving industries from age old centuries. Invention of steam engine makes the industrial revolution around the Britain. They export the raw cotton to Britain and import the same to India as finished goods. It deprived the domestic handicraft industries, their livelihoods and economies.