Final answer:
Europe was primed for a century of trade wars due to factors such as the mercantilist theory and the industrial revolution. The mercantilist theory led to trade wars between European nations, while the industrial revolution created a surplus of goods that required new customers and raw materials. This led to a second wave of imperial expansion and dominance by Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
Europe was primed for a century of trade wars due to several factors.
- First, the mercantilist theory, which saw economic gain for one nation as a loss for others, led European nations to engage in trade wars by using tariffs to bar others from their markets. This led to real wars between nations, such as the four wars fought between England and the Netherlands over transatlantic trade.
- Additionally, the industrial revolution led to the production of cheap, mass-produced goods in European factories, resulting in a surplus that needed new customers and new sources of raw materials. These economic imperatives led to a second wave of imperial expansion and an international system dominated by Europe.