A Wise & Salutary Neglect
Essential Question: In a land of immigrants, what IS an American?
Guiding Thought: To what extent had the colonists developed a sense of their identity and unity as Americans by the eve of the Revolution?
Guiding Thought: To what extent had the colonists developed a sense of their identity and unity as Americans by the eve of the Revolution?
Definition of Salutary Neglect
The Meaning and Definition Salutary Neglect: Salutary Neglect was a long-standing British Policy in the 13 colonies which allowed the colonists to flout, or violate, the laws associated with trade. There were no effective enforcement agencies and it was expensive to send British troops to America. The British policy of Salutary Neglect was not documented. The policy and era of Salutary Neglect lasted from the 1690's to the 1760's and benefited the colonists boosting their profits from trade. Reversing the Policy of Salutary Neglect The British reversed their policy of Salutary Neglect to raise taxes in the colonies to pay for the massive war debt incurred during the French and Indian Wars. The reversal of the policy of Salutary Neglect led to insurrection in the colonies, the Boston Tea Party, the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. This explains why the policy of Salutary Neglect, and the British attempts to reverse the policy of Salutary Neglect, was so important to U.S. history. |
Era of Salutary Neglect in the American Colonies
The first reason for the British policy of Salutary Neglect was to ensure that the America Colonies would remain loyal to the British during the period of expansion in Colonial America. The threat of rebellion in the colonies was a clear concern. In 1675 Nathaniel Bacon instigated Bacon's Rebellion against a corrupt Governor and the Culpeper Rebellion against the Colonial Government erupted in Carolina and the Navigation Acts led by John Culpeper. There were no effective enforcement agencies and it was expensive to send British troops to the American colonies which were far away, so the policy of Salutary Neglect meant that such costs could be kept to a minimum. The British policy of Salutary Neglect was, most importantly, about the profits that could be made from the raw materials and products used for trade by the colonists in the 13 Colonies in exchange for goods from England. This led to the system of Triangular Trade across the Atlantic. Great Britain adhered to the philosophy of Mercantilism which came to mean that colonies existed for the good of the mother country. The famous British Prime Minister Robert Walpole stated that "If no restrictions were placed on the colonies, they would flourish". A great supporter of the Salutary Neglect policy. |
The American Experience: TBA
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Crucible and Red Scare Reading (PDF) |
Extension Activities
These are videos, websites, and activities that I believe are helpful in understanding and thinking critically about the content, or helpful in preparing for exams. Extension activities are voluntary, but recommended. |
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