Why does the period of salutary neglect end in the American colonies?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salutary_neglect
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The period of salutary neglect in the American colonies came to an end for several reasons. To understand why, let's first explain what the period of salutary neglect refers to.
Salutary neglect was a policy followed by the British government in the 17th and 18th centuries that allowed the American colonies a certain degree of self-governance and autonomy. During this time, the British authorities pursued a policy of lax enforcement of trade regulations and minimal interference in colonial affairs.
Now, to understand why this policy came to an end, we need to consider a few factors:
1. Increased revenue generation: After the costly French and Indian War (1754-1763), Britain faced a significant debt. The British government believed that the American colonies should contribute more to the empire's financial burden through taxation and the enforcement of trade regulations.
2. Resentment and tensions: While enjoying the benefits of self-governance, the colonies had also grown accustomed to a certain level of independence during the period of salutary neglect. As British authorities attempted to exert more control and impose stricter regulations, it resulted in growing resentment among the colonists.
3. Proclamation of 1763: In 1763, Britain issued the Proclamation Act, which restricted westward expansion by colonists into Native American territories acquired from France. This angered many American colonists who desired to settle and exploit these lands for economic gain.
4. The Sugar Act (1764) and the Stamp Act (1765): These were the first direct taxes imposed by the British government on the American colonies. The Sugar Act placed duties on imported sugar, while the Stamp Act required a tax on various paper goods. These acts were met with widespread protests and resistance from the colonists, who saw them as violations of their rights as British subjects.
All of these factors contributed to the end of the period of salutary neglect. The British government decided to exert more control over the colonies, leading to increased tensions that ultimately resulted in the American Revolution and the eventual independence of the United States.