Salutary Neglect
by Barry Wright
Essay: Salutary Neglect
Pages: 10
Rating: 3 stars
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The policy of salutary neglect had a large impact on the advancement of the American colonies and their society.
It was the catalyst, which brought in motion the need for colonies to govern and rule themselves. In addition
religious tolerance was one of many developments that came out of the policy of salutary neglect. Many of these
developments differentiated the colonies from England. The colonies forged a bond amongst themselves and it
made them feel united. Many people in England believed in the method of mercantilism. However people like Sir
Robert Walpole, who later became England’s first prime minister, believed in the policy of salutary neglect. Under
this method, the American colonies learned to rely on themselves rather than British leadership. In return, that
British did not impose many laws on the colonies. Sir Robert Walpole believed that British interference would
alienate the colonies and eventually damage commerce with England. To ensure that this didn’t happen he laxly
enforced trade regulations such as the Navigation Act. The policy of salutary neglect led the American colonies to
gain independence and develop their own political institutions such as the legislative assemblies. Although the
colonies based many of their institutions off of the English, between 1690-1750, the British policy of salutary
neglect drove them to become increasingly independent.
Before the policy of salutary neglect was in effect, American colonies were forced to trade exclusively with Ireland,
Scotland, and England due to laws like the Navigation Act. Once the policy of salutary neglect was in effect, these
laws were not consistently enforced. Colonies started trading freely and illegally. Because the colonies were
trading freely, t...
essay on salutary neglect