Salutary Neglect In The American Colonies

The definition of salutary is producing good effects and the definition of neglect is failure to care properly. They do not seem to go together very well but after they are combined, a perfect storm is created for the colonists to become accustomed to independence. Salutary neglect refers to the unofficial British policy of lenient enforcement of parliamentary laws, lasting from 1607 to 1763. The policy was introduced to keep colonial allegiance while allowing the British to focus on European politics. During this time period, the American colonies began to assert themselves economically, politically, and religiously over the Mother Country. Great Britain wanted the American colonies to institute a policy of mercantilism, an economic philosophy in which England established the colonies to provide raw materials to the Mother County. The colonies would receive manufactured goods in return. Trade and Navigation Acts were administered by Great Britain in the 1600’s to enforce mercantilism, but most colonial merchants found it easy to bypass these laws. Trade frequently occurred between France, Spain and the Netherlands, laying the foundation for the triangular trade routes. New England merchants actually benefitted from the smuggling, so the Prime Minister decided to use it to Britain’s advantage. Colonists enjoyed the

The legislative assemblies in the colonies became accustomed to passing their own laws, especially regarding taxation. The Stamp and Sugar Acts were passed in the 1760’s, imposing a new tax on imports. Both laws were removed after protest, but the Intolerable Acts and the Tea Act were passed by Parliament, creating even more controversy. The colonists were greatly opposed to being ruled by a government that was thousands of miles