What economic practice did many European nations use in the 15th and 16th centuries to justify colonialism?

Mercantilism is the correct choice because it was the dominant economic theory in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries, guiding the policies of many colonial powers. This practice emphasized the accumulation of wealth, particularly gold and silver, through a favorable balance of trade. Nations believed that a country's strength depended on its ability to amass wealth and that trade could be managed through the establishment of colonies.

Colonial territories were viewed as sources of raw materials, which could be extracted and shipped back to the mother country to fuel its economy and industry. The mercantilist approach justified colonial expansion as nations sought to control resources and markets, ensuring they maintained a competitive edge over rival countries. It promoted the idea that a nation could only prosper if it limited imports and maximized exports, leading to a strong desire for territorial control and exploitation of resources in the colonies.

In contrast, free enterprise, barter systems, and socialism do not align with the economic practices of that era. Free enterprise focuses on individual and corporate freedoms in economic activities, which did not fully manifest until later periods. Barter systems represent a much earlier stage of economic development, lacking the complexities of trade inherent in colonial economies. Socialism, which advocates for collective or governmental control of the means