What were the causes and effects of growth of mercantilism?

The growth of mercantilism in the 16th to 18th centuries was driven by the desire for nations to accumulate wealth through trade, control resources, and establish colonial empires. Governments implemented protectionist policies, such as tariffs and monopolies, to boost domestic industries and increase national power. This led to increased competition among European powers, significant colonial expansion, and the establishment of trade networks. However, it also contributed to economic imbalances and tensions that would later influence global conflicts and the shift towards free-market capitalism.