How did mercantilism effect the age of exploration?

Mercantilism significantly influenced the Age of Exploration by driving European nations to expand their territories and seek new trade routes. This economic theory emphasized the accumulation of wealth through a favorable balance of trade, prompting countries to establish colonies for resource extraction and markets for their goods. As nations competed for dominance, explorers ventured into uncharted territories, leading to the discovery of new lands and the establishment of global trade networks. Ultimately, mercantilism fueled both exploration and the subsequent exploitation of indigenous populations and resources.