The columbian exchange is most closely
associated with the beginnings of
(1) mercantilism (3) mass production
(2) humanism (4) scientific socialism

(1) mercantilism because that was the start of an advanced economic trading system, which the countries involved believed was the best way to thrive

The Columbian Exchange is like mercantilism because The Columbian exchange is the practice of controlling and maintaining  wealth by controlling trade (which is mercantilisms definition)

I’m pretty sure that the answer is b.