Final answer:
The connection between mercantilism and the American Revolution lies in the economic restrictions imposed by Britain on its colonies. These mercantilist policies limited the colonies' trade, exploited their resources, and taxed them heavily, leading to unrest and a desire for independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The connection between mercantilism and the causes of the American Revolution is deeply rooted in the economic policies and systems that governed the relations between England and its North American colonies. The mercantilist policies required colonies to trade exclusively with the mother country, supply raw materials, and serve as markets for manufactured goods. These restrictive trade policies, coupled with heavy taxes and the exploitation of resources, led to growing discontent among the colonists.
Greed and self-interest played a significant role in mercantilism on both a national and personal level. While colonial farmers and shippers initially obeyed the Navigation Acts due to convenience and profitability, overtime, economic growth in the colonies and the accumulation of more disposable income spurred colonists to desire and acquire luxury goods, joining the broader consumer revolution.
However, British mercantilist practices blunted economic development in the colonies, elevated the interests of British merchants and manufacturers over American ones, and mandated high taxes to benefit the empire. These factors were a cause of unrest in America, with colonists looking to protect their economic interests and dissatisfaction with being used for the mother country's benefit - key components fueling the desire for independence.