What concept refers to the supply of raw materials from colonies to England?

The concept that refers to the supply of raw materials from colonies to England is mercantilism. This economic theory was prevalent during the 16th to the 18th centuries and emphasized the idea that a nation's power depended on its wealth, which was largely measured by the amount of gold and silver it possessed. Under mercantilism, colonies existed mainly to serve the economic interests of the mother country.

Colonial resource extraction was a crucial aspect of this system. Colonies supplied raw materials, such as timber, sugar, tobacco, and cotton, which were not readily available in England. This allowed England to reduce its dependence on foreign imports, bolster its naval power, and foster domestic industries, which in turn generated wealth and increase its global standing.

In contrast, the other concepts listed do not fully encapsulate this relationship. Importation strategy typically refers to how goods are brought into a country, the colonial trade system might generalize trade practices without emphasizing the economic dependency of colonies, and trade and tariffs are broader principles governing trade practices without specifying the direct relationship between colonies and their mother country as seen in mercantilism. Thus, mercantilism accurately describes the economic framework within which colonies would supply raw materials to enhance England's wealth and power.