Mercantilism Writing
Using your maps, memories and your notes from these classes, discussions, readings and prep work, respond to the
question using the following steps:
1.
2.
Planning: Brainstorm & Organize (homework)
Writing (in-class)
Question:
Making reference to the information you have learned from this project, using full sentence and paragraph
form, summarize what you have learned about Mercantilism. Be sure to discuss how it worked, why Britain
was able to make the large profits that they were from it and why it eventually ended.
Planning/Brainstorming
Use of protectorates- rich with resources or strategic placement
Triangular Trade
Exports vs Imports
Overseas Trade
Hypothesis/Evidence Template
Question: Making reference to the information you have learned from this project, using full sentence and paragraph
form, summarize what you have learned about Mercantilism. Be sure to discuss how it worked, why Britain was able to
make the large profits that they were from it and why it eventually ended.
What is the task (in your own words):
Key Terms to Discuss:
Describe how mercantilism was implemented in Britain’s
economic system and how they prospered from it.
Exports vs Imports
Triangular Trade- England, West Indies, American Colonies
Protectorates
Britain
Mercantilism
Capitalism
Hypothesis: Mercantilism is an economic system that Britain used in the 16th century which through trade, increased
profit. The Triangular trade was extraordinarily beneficial for Britain along with the West Indies and the American
colonies. Overtime, capitalism took over mercantilism, as capitalism became the modernized source of profit and
wealth.
Explanation of Idea
Britain took advantage of its colonies, but also benefitted them as well. Trading with the colonies built trust and the
economic improvement to both parties.
Evidence Quotation ☐ Visual Cue ☐ Inference ☐ Connection ☐
Socials 9 Mercantilism Writing
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Britain had high expectations believed that the colonies should only provide them with goods and to buy specific British
goods in return. Therefore, the colonies also gained resources, goods, and a form of trust.
Extension
Although seeming beneficial at first, it soon led to the downfall of Mercantilism due to lack of sustainability. Britain
could only maximize exports to a certain amount and they could only limit imports to a certain amount, thus
mercantilism soon harmed Britain’s economy.
Explanation of Idea
During the time of mercantilism, many colonies were established. Britain, for example, immensely benefitted from this,
due to the booming trade market. The international trade market was growing and the nation’s interest grew and
regulations were made.
Evidence Quotation ☐ Visual Cue ☐ Inference ☐ Connection ☐
Besides Britain, England also supported the mercantilism economic system. They also established numerous
protectorates such as East Africa Protectorate, British Somaliland, and British Cameroon etc.
Extension
These protectorates boosted their economy greatly because of either the strategic placement of the protectorate, or it
was rich with resources.
Explanation of Idea
It was believed that if Britain maximized its exports of goods and limited its imports, Britain’s wealth would increase
because of the surplus in the country’s balance of trade.
Evidence Quotation ☐ Visual Cue ☐ Inference ☐ Connection ☐
To determine whether the trade was going poorly or not, the gold and silver from American Colonies and the West
Indies in the treasury was used to maintain constant flow of resources.
Extension
Britain made a large effort to trade overseas, which relied on the navy. As a result, England, France, Portugal and Spain
were often at war to dominate the maritime trading business. Competition between these nation-states allowed
Britain’s economy to spur.
Conclusion: Rhetorical Question ☐ Rephrasing ☐ Big Idea ☐
Socials 9 Mercantilism Writing
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Britain, along with many other thriving countries boosted their economy through oversea trades and the aid from
colonies. Mercantilism was a flourishing economic system at first, but due to lack of ability to maintain this constant
economic method, capitalism took over in the 18th century.
For this piece of writing, I am focusing on:
Britain’s benefits from Mercantilism
Trade
Protectorates
Socials 9 Mercantilism Writing
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CATEGORY
POSITION OR THESIS
STATEMENT
EXCELLING
The position statement
provides a clear, strong
statement of the author's
position on the topic.
ADVANCING
The position statement
provides a clear statement
of the author's position on
the topic.
EMERGING
A position statement is
present, but does not make
the author's position clear.
LACKING
There is no position
statement.
ACCURACY
All supportive facts and
statistics are reported
accurately.
Almost all supportive facts
and statistics are reported
accurately.
Most supportive facts and
statistics are reported
accurately.
Most supportive facts and
statistics were inaccurately
reported.
QUALITY OF EVIDENCE
& EXAMPLES
All of the evidence and
examples are specific,
relevant and explanations
are given that show how
each piece of evidence
supports the author's
position.
Most of the evidence and
examples are specific,
relevant and explanations
are given that show how
each piece of evidence
supports the author's
position.
At least one of the pieces of
evidence and examples is
relevant and has an
explanation that shows how
that piece of evidence
supports the author's
position.
Evidence and examples are
NOT relevant AND/OR are
not explained.
SENTENCE
STRUCTURE
All sentences are well
constructed with varied
structure.
Most sentences are well
constructed and there is
some varied sentence
structure in the essay.
Most sentences are well
constructed, but there is no
variation is structure.
Most sentences are not well
constructed or varied.
SPELLING &
GRAMMAR
Author makes no errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the
content.
Author makes 1-2 errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the
content.
Author makes 3-4 errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the
content.
Author makes more than 4
errors in grammar or
spelling that distract the
reader from the content.
Socials 9 Mercantilism Writing
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