Mercantilism Political Cartoon - Free Printable

Let’s work through the worksheet step by step.

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Part 1: Analyze the political cartoon and answer the questions

1. Identify the cartoon title
→ The title is written at the top of the cartoon: *“The Mercantilist Argument for Colonial Expansion”*

2. Who does the figure on the left represent?
→ She’s labeled “MOTHER COUNTRY” on her sash. So she represents the home country (like England, Spain, etc.) that owns the colonies.

3. Who do the three figures in the middle represent?
→ They’re all labeled “COLONY” on their aprons. So they represent the American colonies.

a. What do they have in their hands?
→ First colony: “GOLD & SILVER”
→ Second colony: “FOODSTUFFS”
→ Third colony: “RAW MATERIALS”

b. Why did the illustrator draw them as maids?
→ To show that colonies were seen as servants to the mother country — giving everything they produced, while the mother country gets to enjoy it without working. It shows power imbalance and control.

4. Which words or phrases in the cartoon appear to be the most significant? Why do you think so?
→ “MOTHER COUNTRY” and “COLONY” are key because they show the relationship. Also “GOLD & SILVER”, “FOODSTUFFS”, “RAW MATERIALS” — these show what colonies gave. And the fact that the mother country is sitting at the table being served shows she benefits most.

5. Describe the action taking place in the cartoon.
→ The Mother Country is sitting at a fancy dinner table. Three Colonies (dressed as maids) are bringing her plates of gold, food, and raw materials. She’s being waited on — meaning the colonies are supplying her with wealth and goods.

6. What is the message of the cartoon?
→ The cartoon shows that under mercantilism, colonies existed only to serve the mother country by giving it resources and wealth. The mother country gets rich while the colonies work and give everything away.

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Part 2: Analyze the diagram and complete using the terms below

Terms:
- Mother Country
- Colony
- Raw Materials
- Manufactured Goods

Diagram has two circles:
- Left circle = #7
- Right circle = #8
- Arrow from right to left labeled #9 (with icons of logs/goods)
- Arrow from left to right labeled #10 (with icon of factory/table)

In mercantilism:
→ Colonies send Raw Materials to the Mother Country.
→ Mother Country sends back Manufactured Goods to the colonies.

So:

7. → Mother Country (left side — receives raw materials, sends manufactured goods)
8. → Colony (right side — sends raw materials, receives manufactured goods)
9. → Raw Materials (arrow going from Colony to Mother Country)
10. → Manufactured Goods (arrow going from Mother Country to Colony)

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Final Answer:

1. The Mercantilist Argument for Colonial Expansion
2. Mother Country
3. Colonies
a. Gold & Silver, Foodstuffs, Raw Materials
b. To show colonies served the mother country like servants
4. “Mother Country,” “Colony,” and the items they carry — they show who benefits and who gives
5. Mother Country sits at table; Colonies bring her gold, food, and raw materials
6. Colonies exist to make the mother country rich by giving it resources
7. Mother Country
8. Colony
9. Raw Materials
10. Manufactured Goods