This economic shift that began in the 1500's was characterized by a focus on exports while limiting imports. The idea was to make as many products at home as possible, while selling the excess for profit to other nations. This economic shift that began in the 1500's was characterized by a focus on exports while limiting imports. The idea was to make as many products at home as possible, while selling the excess for profit to other nations. A. Industrial Revolution B. Feudalism C. Merchant Capitalism D. Mercantilism