An economic theory and practice dominant from the 16th-18th centuries that emphasized maximizing exports and minimizing imports to accumulate precious metals and maintain a favorable balance of trade. Nations sought to achieve economic self-sufficiency and viewed trade as a zero-sum competition.
From French 'mercantilisme,' derived from Italian 'mercante' (merchant), ultimately from Latin 'mercari' (to trade). The term was actually coined by critics in the 18th century to describe earlier economic policies they opposed, particularly Adam Smith who argued for free trade instead.
Mercantilism literally drove European colonization - the entire point of having colonies was to provide raw materials to the mother country and buy back finished goods, creating a closed economic loop! This is why Britain banned American colonies from manufacturing their own goods and why the Boston Tea Party happened - it was really about economic control, not just taxes.
Mercantilist trade systems were male-dominated (male merchants, shipowners, traders); women's economic contribution (textile production, agriculture, trade in domestic markets) was erased from 'commerce' definitions and policy.
When discussing mercantilism, acknowledge women's parallel economic systems and their exclusion from formal mercantile status.
["trade systems","economic structures"]
Women traders, merchants, and textile manufacturers (guilds excluded them) drove parallel economies; their systems were excluded from mercantilist histories.
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