Answer:
Please see the paragraph of 3-4 sentences, below:
Explanation:
Colonies were essential to a mercantilist economy because they reduced dependency on imports from outside by offering a consistent supply of raw materials that the home nation could not generate. After being utilized to create goods for export, these raw resources contributed to the accumulation of wealth and a positive trade balance. Colonies also provided exclusive marketplaces for the mother country's produced goods, guaranteeing a captive client base that supported homegrown businesses and economic expansion. This strategy aimed to minimize imports and maximize exports to strengthen national wealth and power.
