During the 1500's to 1800's, the strength and stature of a .
country depended upon its political power, which can be traced to how .
self-sufficient it was. Striving to be self-sufficient was what .
nations sought after; dependency was not a characteristic of a .
powerful nation. Raw materials were the most required item to .
strengthen the central government, and deter interactions, such as .
trade with other nations. The first country to introduce mercantilism .
in America was Spain. The spanish american colonies were not allowed .
to trade directly with Europe. Instead they had to funnel all of the .
sugar and tobacco, two common commdities of the new land, through .
Spain. When this was done, heavy custom duties were imposed and the .
central government gained. Spanish American colonies were forced into .
providing precious metals and raw materials to the mother country. .
These colonies existed only to enrich spain, even if the economic .
policies adversly effected the well-being of the colonies. This grip .
caused the central economy of Spain to grow at the expense of the .
colonies. During the duration of this period, the 1500's through the .
1700's, mercantilism had a major effect on the economies in the new .
world. English speaking colonies were effected by England's policies .
and acts. These policies and acts were means of controling the economy .
of the colonies in America and strengthen the central government of .
England. Dutch traders had the commercial vessel market well cornered .
in the 1640's. It was very difficult for English colonies to compete .
with the Dutch. With owning 75 percent of Northern Europes' vessels, .
being well-financed and experienced, the Dutch were going to stay in .
control of the market unless European Parliament intervined. In 1651 .
the European parliament enacted the first Navigation Act to undercut .
the Dutches domination. England was hoping that this Act would exclude .
the Dutch from trade with the English and force its own merchant .