Which term describes the system where raw materials are shipped to the mother country and finished goods are sent back to the colonies?

The term that best describes the system where raw materials are shipped to the mother country and finished goods are sent back to the colonies is mercantilism. This economic theory was prevalent during the colonial era and emphasized the importance of accumulating wealth through a favorable balance of trade. Under mercantilism, colonies were expected to supply raw materials to the mother country, which would then manufacture finished goods and sell them back to the colonies. This created a cycle that benefited the parent nation economically while often restricting the colonies' ability to trade freely with other nations.

The focus of mercantilism was to increase national wealth and power, as countries sought to become self-sufficient and diminish reliance on foreign imports. This framework shaped colonial policies and trade practices, influencing economic relationships between European powers and their colonies throughout the period of 1607 to 1803.