Final answer:
Salutary Neglect was a period in the 18th century where England loosely enforced trade laws, allowing colonial regions to flourish economically and build self-governing structures. While this bolstered the colonies' economies, it also afforded them a taste of independence. When Britain attempted to regain control after 1763, it led to colonial dissent and subsequently, the American Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Salutary Neglect refers to the lax manner in which the English crown, particularly under Prime Minister Robert Walpole (during his term from 1721 to 1742), upheld and enforced the Navigation Acts during the 18th century. Walpole operated on the belief that trade and commerce thrived best when not burdened with restrictions. As a result, colonists had the freedom to build their own fleet of ships and engage in international trade.
This era of Salutary Neglect saw a notable upsurge in smuggling, colloquially exemplified by the weak enforcement of the 1733 Molasses Act. This act placed a substantial duty on raw sugar, rum, and molasses from non-English territories, intending to favor English West Indian producers. However, New England mariners frequently smuggled these items from French and Dutch colonies at a lower cost than those offered in English territories.
The consequences of salutary neglect were significant; it inadvertently nurtured the colony's burgeoning self-sufficiency and resilience. The perceived shift in English policy away from neglect after 1763 was central to the colonial objections to the 'Intolerable Acts,' which eventually led to the Revolutionary War and America's independence.
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