The nascent British Empire followed a mercantilist economic policy, in which the goal was to enrich Britain, especially its already powerful bourgeoisie that exercised power since the Glorious Revolution. This policy was viewed with suspicion by the settlers because it directly harmed them by considering the colonies as mere producers of raw materials and markets for the productions of the metropolis.
The first reaction of American producers and merchants was smuggling, which became the most widespread tactic to avoid restrictions on trade with the French, Spanish or Dutch. Mercantilism aimed to achieve trade surpluses, so that gold and silver would be concentrated in London, the colonies, on the other hand, were captive markets for British industry. The government participated through the rights and taxes, and the rest went to the English merchants. The category of public administration that benefited most was the military, especially the British Navy.