How did mercantilism lead to the triangle trade?

Mercantilism, an economic theory prevalent in the 16th to 18th centuries, emphasized the importance of accumulating wealth, primarily gold and silver, through a favorable balance of trade. European nations sought to maximize exports while minimizing imports, leading to the exploitation of colonies for raw materials. This demand for resources fueled the Triangle Trade, where European powers transported manufactured goods to Africa, exchanged them for enslaved people, who were then shipped to the Americas to work on plantations, producing cash crops that were sent back to Europe. Thus, mercantilism directly contributed to the establishment and operation of the Triangle Trade network.