Salutary Neglect in the US Colonies essays

Salutary Neglect in the US Colonies essays Because of Britain's salutary neglect policy, the colonies enjoyed a lot of freedom, which in effect led to the development of American society. The colonies benefited from a lack of heavy British political or economic rule, so they established their legislative assemblies, maintained their commerce, and became a religiously mixed nation. The neglect of Britain forced the colonists to develop a system of self-government, including colonial legislatures, town halls, and a social hierarchy. These establishments managed the nation's commerce which consisted of the Triangular Trade, trade with foreign countries, as well as trade amongst themselves. This salutary neglect also guaranteed a large extent of religious freedom. England was deeply involved in civil wars, and hence the colonists were left with their resources to provide themselves with a form of self-government. One of the earlier examples of self-government was the New England Confederation. Its primary purpose was for protection against the Indians, the French, and the Dutch that the busy English could not provide for them. Although a weak organization, the confederation was the first milestone towards a strong, independent government. The New Englanders were accustomed to this neglect, so they were struck hard when the Dominion of New England was created by royal authority. The dominion was aimed at providing English control over New England but proved futile when the colonists got rebellious fervor from the Glorious Revolution and ran Edmund Andros out of royal office, showing England the extent of their self-government. The benefits of the neglect can further be seen in the fact that the British government refused to pay the royal gover nors at their own expense and forced local legislatures to pay the salaries of their governors. England's lack of attention to its decision proved most useful to the colonists. By controlling the salaries of their royal governors, the colonis...