Anna Turkisher

September 15th, 2012

APUSH - Per. 6

Sherwin

The Foreshadow of a Revolution

The American colonists remained faithful to England and thought nothing of it until the

policy of salutary neglect came into effect. England originally created the thirteen colonies to

provide for their country, and use as a place to dump outcasts(remember that there were more

than 13). The colonists, remained faithful to England for quite some time, but eventually realized

that they did not need England to order them around. While England attended to important issues

such as the Glorious Revolution, various civil wars, and the French and Indian War, the

American colonies were free to take advantage of their newfound rights. Before 1750, England’s

policy of salutary neglect benefited the American colonies by giving them more freedom in their

legislative assemblies, commerce, and religion.

Under strict British laws, colonies were accustomed to belonging to either a royal,

proprietary, or self-governed colony. The salutary neglect policies benefited the colonists by

allowing them to expand their legislative assemblies and move towards democracy.

Qualifications to vote in the colonies at that time were tricky. Much of the power belonged to

Puritan leaders or rich land owners. However, compared to England, more people could vote in

the colonies because of cheap land. Farmers and inhabitants of the colonies started resisting to

unfair laws and more people spoke out. In royal colonies, the appointed governor was taken

advantage of by the colonists because he was a stranger to the area and surrounded by

communities who refused to pay him unless he approved their laws. The people in American

colonies found it easy to manipulate officials to do what they wanted during the period of

salutary neglect. Colonists requested many laws to be signed off by the king, usually outrageous,

but very rewarding. Secluded by the salutary neglect policies, colonists were able to work around

many previous strict British laws. In certain colonies such as Connecticut and Rhode Island,

people had the authority to elect their own governors, empowering people with rights.

In addition to government, commerce was also improved. With England monitoring the

colonies’ trade, the Americans were only permitted to provide for the British. But, when

population increased and England failed to buy large amounts of goods, colonists decided to

trade with other countries, like the Caribbean Islands and West Indies. The Triangle Trade was a

circuit where a skipper would leave a New England port with rum, trade with Africa for slaves,

go to the West Indies and trade slaves for sugar and molasses, and then travel back to New

England. This benefited the colonies greatly, but angered the British. Later, the British decided to

tighten laws after finding out about this trade during the neglect. The Molasses Act was the

outcome of the British finding out about colonists’ trades. Commerce was overall improved by

the realization of the colonists and their ability to break away from England. This led to

smuggling goods and other rebellious acts.

Government moved towards democracy, commerce expanded, and religion relaxed.

Harsh rules present in England were not as strict in the colonies because of lack of Roman

Catholics and other minority religions. People started branching off into other religions such as

Presbyterianism and Congregationalism. The strict Anglicans originally from England started

pulling away from their old ways and moving towards the Great Awakening. England had little

to no control over the churches at this time, so ministers, who normally would have to be

certified in England, were now granted permission by bishops, who were more relaxed since the

neglect policies.(this sentence has a lot of commas – it seems grammatically correct, but it's

tedious.) The Great Awaking approached religion in a new way that spread throughout the nation.

It was one of the effects of the salutary neglect policy, which gave power to the American

colonists.

England’s policy of salutary neglect benefited the American colonies because it gave

them more freedom in their legislative assemblies, commerce, and religion. American colonists

were able to manipulate the government system and take advantage of their voting rights. The

people could make more decisions on their own, without being beaten down by England.

Commerce improved and colonists realized England did not have to control trade. American

colonists could get away with trading with other countries and actually make more money. A

profit was a helpful benefit, but ended eventually due to England’s outrage. Religion loosened in

some areas because of new communities and populations. England’s tight grip no longer

possessed as much power within the state’s churches. A new perspective developed at this time,

and encouraged others to branch out to new religions. Overall, the salutary neglect policy aided

the colonies to their advantage. The colonists recognized a sense of independence and embraced

the newfound rebellious acts.