How does mercantilism affect exploration and colonization for the Europeans?

Mercantilism, with its emphasis on accumulating wealth through trade and resource control, significantly fueled European exploration and colonization. European powers sought new territories to exploit Natural Resources, establish trade routes, and create markets for their goods, driving competition among nations. This economic doctrine led to the establishment of colonies, which served as both sources of raw materials and markets for finished products, ultimately shaping global trade dynamics and influencing power structures during the Age of Exploration.