Mercantilism. It was an economic system of trade that spanned from the 16th century to the 18th century (a form of economic nationalism). Mercantilism banked on the principle that the world's wealth was static, so many European nations attempted to accumulate the largest possible share of that wealth by maximizing their exports. It is an economic theory that advocates government regulation of international trade to generate wealth/strengthen national power. It funds national growth and advocates trade policies that protect domestic industries.