22
Lesson 22
Mercantilists and the Midas Touch

The lesson begins with a reading, Mercantilism—Show Me the Gold!, which provides students with an understanding of the basic tenets of mercantilism. The impact of exports and imports on a nation's holdings of gold is discussed. A second reading, The Golden Touch: Was King Midas a Mercantilist?, tells the story of King Midas, who believed that being able to turn everything he touched into gold would make him the happiest man on earth. After he is granted his wish, he finds that the golden touch is a curse, rather than a blessing. The lesson asks students to compare the beliefs of the mercantilists with those of King Midas.

Concepts

  • Balance of Trade
  • Exports
  • Imports
  • Scarcity
  • Trade

Standards in Economics and Personal Finance

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