Background of Mercantilism
Mercantilism was an economic theory prevalent during the 16th to 18th centuries, where countries believed that the accumulation of wealth was dependent on exporting more than importing. This led to strict government control over trade and the establishment of colonies for resources.

American Colonies and Mercantilism
- The American colonies were subjected to mercantilist policies by the British government, such as the Navigation Acts, which restricted trade with countries other than Britain.
- Colonists were required to trade only with British merchants and were heavily taxed on imports and exports.

Economic Grievances
- The American colonists felt stifled by these mercantilist policies as they were unable to freely trade with other countries or benefit from foreign markets.
- They also resented the heavy taxes imposed on them by the British government without any representation in the decision-making process.

Rise of Economic Revolt
- The economic grievances of the American colonies eventually led to the rise of a revolt against British mercantilism.
- The colonists sought economic independence and the ability to trade freely without the constraints imposed by the mercantilist policies.

American Revolution as an Economic Revolt
- The American Revolution was not just a fight for political independence but also an economic revolt against the oppressive mercantilist policies of the British government.
- The colonists wanted to break free from the economic shackles of mercantilism and establish a system where they could trade freely and benefit from their own resources.
In conclusion, the American Revolution can be seen as an economic revolt against mercantilism, as the colonists sought to break free from the restrictive trade policies imposed by the British government and establish economic independence.