The official policy of the British crown and Parliament toward the American colonies is essentially embodied in the economic and political theory of mercantilism; however, in reality sometimes by intent, mostly by accident, a policy of salutary neglect developed and flourished. This policy is considered by many to the the underlying cause of the American Revolution. Judge the degree to which this statement is accurate.
Can someone please help me with this question. I am very confused.
To answer this question you need to understand the economic and political theory of mercantilism.
http://mars.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc2/lectures/mercantilism.html
However, this question is confusing because it isn't clear what is meant by "This policy." Please check with your instructor to find whether you're supposed to write about mercantilism or the policy of salutary neglect.
i think it is askikng about salutary neglect
What do you think? Did the British policy of neglecting the colonies contribute the the Revolution?
To evaluate the accuracy of the statement, we first need to understand the concepts mentioned: mercantilism, salutary neglect, and their relation to the American Revolution.
Mercantilism was an economic and political theory widely practiced by European powers during the 16th to 18th centuries. It aimed to achieve a favorable balance of trade by maximizing exports and minimizing imports. In this system, colonies existed to serve the interests of the imperial power by providing raw materials and serving as a market for finished goods.
Salutary neglect, on the other hand, refers to a policy where a colonial power, like Britain, deliberately chooses to not strictly enforce laws and regulations, allowing a degree of self-governance and economic freedom to its colonies. This policy could be considered accidental, resulting from geographic distance and limited administrative capacity, rather than a deliberate strategy.
Now, let's assess the statement's accuracy. It argues that the official policy toward the American colonies was mercantilism, but a policy of salutary neglect developed and flourished, which became an underlying cause of the American Revolution.
Historically, the British crown and Parliament did follow a mercantilist approach towards its American colonies. They imposed acts and regulations that restricted colonial trade and manufacturing, such as the Navigation Acts and the Sugar Act, to maintain a favorable trade balance for the benefit of Britain.
However, it is accurate to say that a policy of salutary neglect developed and flourished. Due to the logistical challenges of governing distant colonies, British authorities often turned a blind eye to colonial smuggling, trade violations, and local self-rule. This lax enforcement allowed the colonies to develop their own institutions and a sense of autonomy. Over time, the colonies grew accustomed to a certain level of self-governance and economic freedom, which created a rift when the British government attempted to assert greater control.
So, it can be argued that the policy of salutary neglect did contribute to the underlying causes of the American Revolution. The American colonists, accustomed to a degree of self-rule and economic independence, resisted British attempts to tighten control and increase taxes, leading to increased tensions that eventually erupted into a full-fledged revolution.
In summary, the statement that the policy of salutary neglect developed and flourished, contributing to the underlying causes of the American Revolution, is generally accurate in capturing the dynamics between mercantilism, salutary neglect, and the eventual rebellion of the American colonies.