Question

How did mercantilism affect indigenous peoples?

Option 1: They did not make the most money for the raw materials they sold.
Option 2: They did not have the most gold and silver which equaled power.
Option 3: They lost their homes, their ways of life, and large numbers of their populations.
Option 4: They became wealthy and powerful through trade with European nations.

Answer 1

Mercantilism had a negative impact on indigenous peoples, resulting in the loss of homes, ways of life, and population decline.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mercantilism, an economic philosophy that shaped European perceptions of wealth from the 1500s to the late 1700s, had a negative impact on indigenous peoples. Option 3 is the correct answer: they lost their homes, their ways of life, and large numbers of their populations. Under mercantilism, colonies were exploited for their resources, and indigenous populations often faced violence, displacement, and enslavement in order to extract maximum wealth. European nations prioritized their own economic interests, leading to significant harm to indigenous communities.