How did mercantilism affect European countries' pursuit of colonies in the Americas?

Mercantilism affected the European colonization of North America because European nations, including France, the Netherlands, Spain, and England, tried to claim as many natural resources as possible. In particular, the Spanish tried to accumulate as much gold as possible while enslaving the Native Americans they found.

Explanation:

answer; /// i do believe that the correct answer is (a); a farming tribe that settled primarily along the mississippi and arkansas rivers;

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