Merkantilismus war die Wirtschaftspolitik im 17. Jahrhundert, welche zum Ziel hatte, dass der Staat die optimalen Rahmenbedingungen dafür schafft, um die industrielle Produktion eines Landes zu fördern.

Merkantislismus war die Auffassung im 17. Jahrhundert, welche darauf vertraute, dass sich die freie Marktwirtschaft ganz von allein optimal entwickelt. Deshalb sollten sich der Staat und die Politik in keinster Weise um die Förderung der Industrie kümmern.

Productivity was higher because a larger number of workers worked in one place and because the division of labour (= Arbeitsteilung zwischen den Arbeitern) was increased.

Productivity was higher due to the fact that it took a shorter amount of time to produce a certain amount of products in a factory.

Productivity was higher due to the fact that steam engines were used.

The 1st and the 2nd estate (= Stand) [i.e. the clergy (= Klerus - geistlicher Adel) and the noblemen (= weltlicher Adel) ] were exempt from paying taxes to the state.

Nobody was exempt from paying taxes to the state.

According to French finance minister Colbert, the "gold-mines of the French kingdom" were products exported to foreign countries because they were sold for money, i.e. precious metals like gold and silver.

According to French finance minister Colbert, the "gold-mines of the French kingdom" were the clergy and the noblemen.

A measure taken by Colbert in order to promote commerce was the improvement of the transportation infrastructure (streets, channels) in order to minimize transport costs.

A measure taken by Colbert in order to promote commerce was the establishment of new colonies in America (Louisiana!) in order to obtain cheap raw materials

A measure taken by Colbert in order to promote commerce was the introduction of high tariffs in the interest of preventing the import of manufactured goods from abroad.

A measure taken by Colbert in order to promote commerce was the granting of tax-cuts with a view to promoting the establishment of new factories.

A measure taken by Colbert in order to promote commerce was to cut back military spending.

The Dutch and the British East India Companies were cooperative ventures, managed by directors and financed by issuing shares in order to raise capital.

The Dutch and the British East India Companies made sure that the business risks were shared by the many members of the company.

The Dutch and the British East India Companies had nothing to do with colonizing large parts of Asia.