The English created a system of
when they first colonized North America.

They created a system of mercantilism

Explanation:

Mercantilism is a system that is designed to maximize exports of products while minimizing the import of a country. More higher exports usually means that the country will accumulate more wealth from their economic activity.

This was the intention of the English settlers when they colonized North America.

They obtained the resources that exist in North America by forcing the people  to work for them. They English government act as de-facto employer and owner of the resources accumulated in the colony. They give the people in their colony with low labor and material price when they obtain it.  Then, English government will transform that resources into finished product and sell it to other advanced country in a much higher price.