What did countries do to increase their power under mercantilism? Check all that apply.

A. Maintain a positive balance of overseas trade

B. Use colonies to access raw materials

C. Trade to acquire goods rather than silver and gold

D. Issue charters for joint-stock companies

E. Send raw materials to colonies

A. Maintain a positive balance of overseas trade

B. Use colonies to access raw materials

Explanation:

The colonial powers of Western Europe had the Mercantilism as their economic way of functioning for some time. This meant that they were lead by the opinion that the trade should be as developed as possible, thus acquiring wealth through it, and is the protectionism as a defense mechanism for the trade. Because of this, the colonial powers were focused on producing a lot, especially cash crops, and sell them overseas, thus getting lot of money for them. Also, they used their colonies in order to get raw materials, as in this manner they were either for free, or wee paid very little. The raw materials were manufactured, and then traded, thus getting lot of profit from them as well.

The answers would be:

A. Maintain a positive balance of overseas trade

B. Use colonies to access raw materials

D. Issue charters for joint-stock companies