Salutary neglect was a policy of the British government in the American colonies during the 18th century, which allowed the colonies to largely govern themselves and develop their own economic and political systems with minimal interference from the Crown. This policy contributed to the growing sense of independence and self-governance in the colonies, which ultimately led to the American Revolution.
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Salutary neglect allowed the colonies to develop their own systems of government, taxation, and trade, which contributed to the growth of colonial self-governance and a sense of independence.
The policy of salutary neglect was a departure from the strict mercantilist policies that the British government had previously imposed on the colonies, which aimed to maximize the economic benefits to the Crown.
The colonial charters granted by the British Crown often provided the legal framework for the colonies to exercise a significant degree of self-governance, which was reinforced by the policy of salutary neglect.
The triangular trade network, which involved the exchange of goods, slaves, and raw materials between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, was facilitated by the policy of salutary neglect, as it allowed the colonies to develop their own economic systems.
The policy of salutary neglect contributed to the growing sense of colonial identity and the belief that the colonies were capable of self-governance, which ultimately led to the American Revolution.
Review Questions
Explain how the policy of salutary neglect contributed to the growth of colonial self-governance and independence.
The policy of salutary neglect allowed the American colonies to largely govern themselves and develop their own economic and political systems with minimal interference from the British Crown. This enabled the colonies to exercise a significant degree of self-governance, which contributed to the growth of a distinct colonial identity and the belief that they were capable of self-governance. This ultimately led to the American Revolution, as the colonies sought to assert their independence from the British Empire.
Describe how the policy of salutary neglect differed from the mercantilist policies previously imposed on the colonies by the British government.
The policy of salutary neglect was a departure from the strict mercantilist policies that the British government had previously imposed on the colonies. Mercantilism was an economic policy where the British government sought to regulate colonial commerce in order to promote domestic industry, often at the expense of the colonies. In contrast, salutary neglect allowed the colonies to develop their own economic and political systems with minimal interference from the Crown, contributing to the growth of colonial self-governance and a sense of independence.
Analyze the role of colonial charters and the triangular trade network in shaping the colonial experience under the policy of salutary neglect.
The colonial charters granted by the British Crown often provided the legal framework for the colonies to exercise a significant degree of self-governance, which was reinforced by the policy of salutary neglect. Additionally, the triangular trade network, which involved the exchange of goods, slaves, and raw materials between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, was facilitated by the policy of salutary neglect, as it allowed the colonies to develop their own economic systems. These factors contributed to the growth of colonial identity and the belief that the colonies were capable of self-governance, ultimately leading to the American Revolution.