Final answer:
The political cartoon in question is opposed to American expansion and depicts the negative effects of mercantilist policies on the colonies. The message of the cartoon is that colonial expansion under mercantilism is detrimental to the colonies and benefits only the mother country.
Step-by-step explanation:
The political cartoon titled "The Mercantilist Argument for Colonial Expansion" appears to be opposed to American expansion. The cartoon is a representation of the negative effects of mercantilist policies on the American colonies. It portrays a British merchant standing on the backs of the American colonists, symbolizing the exploitative nature of the mercantilist system. The message of the cartoon is that colonial expansion under mercantilism is detrimental to the colonies and benefits only the mother country.