Read the passage and answer the question.
European beliefs held that only a limited amount of wealth, as measured in gold and silver blocks, existed in the world. In order to gain power, nations had to gather wealth by mining these raw materials from their colonies. During the age of exploration, nations employed conquest, colonization, and trade as ways to increase their share of wealth from the New World.
Which conclusion is best supported by this passage?
a
Gold and silver were the most important commodities in Europe.
b
Nations had no way to increase their wealth other than through colonization.
c
Mercantilists thought their nations should control trade to create wealth, so they did not believe in free trade with other nations.
d
The colonies sent their raw materials back to their mother country. The mother country sent back finished goods, such as textiles and tools.