U.S. history concepts · AP U.S. History
Salutary neglect
Salutary neglect: Britain's informal policy, before 1763, of loosely enforcing trade laws and allowing the colonies considerable self-government.
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What it means
For much of the early eighteenth century, British officials did not strictly enforce trade regulations, and colonial assemblies grew used to managing their own affairs. Historians call this period of light oversight salutary neglect.
When Britain tightened control after the Seven Years' War to pay its debts, colonists experienced the new taxes and enforcement as a break from established practice, which helps explain the intensity of their resistance.
Example
Colonial merchants commonly evaded the Molasses Act of 1733 by smuggling, with little consequence, until Britain moved to enforce customs laws more strictly in the 1760s.
On the exam
Salutary neglect is useful context for DBQs and LEQs about the causes of the American Revolution.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- MercantilismAn economic theory that a nation's power depends on accumulating wealth through a favorable balance of trade, with colonies supplying raw materials and buying finished goods.
- ContextualizationDescribing the broader historical developments before, during or after a topic that explain why it happened or mattered.