Salutory Neglect Established America
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Contact the author. January 20, 2000. Question: For the period before 1750, analyze the ways in which Britain's policy of Salutory Neglect influenced the development of American society as illustrated in the following: A. Legislative Assemblies B. Commerce C. Religion My Response: Great Britain's policy of salutory neglect (a "hands off" policy) had profound impacts on American society despite the fact that many British citizens opposed the policy. Salutory neglect was a hands off policy which left America, a new nation, to fend for herself prior to 1750. The hands off policy greatly increased legislation, commerce, and religion prior to 1750. To begin, legislation was readily discussed in various areas throughout the new world. In New England, a convention was launched, and delegated power to town officials. The officials had meetings where they discussed the future of their country. Similarly, a council was started in Virginia, the House of Burgesses, which acted as a legislative body for the Virginia colony. A governor was appointed, but there was still more representation than the civil virtue system in England. In fact, the reason that many colonists arrived in the new world was to escape the control of the monarch and the Parliament. Additionally, in the colonies, there was a policy of states rights whicha lso played a role in giving power to the people. Had salutory neglect not existed, England would have had control over America. But because of the policy, America legislature was allowed to thrive. Another thriving point in American economics was commerce and industry, which escaped the strict laws of the English system in free America. In England times were commercially tough, especially in the 1600's with the Glorius Revolution taking shape. But in America, tobacco, cotton, and manufacturing began to ascend to the economic throne. John Rolfe, in Virginia, aided tobacco in ascending to popularity in Virginia. Cotton thrived further south, while manufacturing found its economic place in the northeast. Each of these industries/crops provided America with a strong commercial economy that simply would not have existed without salutory neglect in order. Additionally, with no navigational laws in effect, the United States had a sepreme economic advantage. The triangle trade route provided three continents with the necessary goods to boost the lives of their citizens, lower the rate of inflation, and boost the standard of living. But there was also a culture thriving in other areas. Specifically, religious times grew immensely with salutory neglect. From the beginning, America was a place to practice religion freely. Puritans and seperatists all flocked to America to practice religious freedom. The Quakers were given freedom to practice their religion in Pennsylvania. And, the "Catholic Haven" of Maryland was granted freedom of religion through the Act of Toleration. These ideologies were present within the new world because no "big brother" was encorcing laws against religious freedom. Also, when Edwards and Whitefield began preaching during "The Great Awakening," religion was largely revived. The religious revivals stressed tolerance and unity, and was the first real movement that unified the colonists. The roots of the revivalism came from Penn, Hooker, ("Mother Anne") Lee, Williams, and others who strived for toleration earlier. Indeed, the policy of salutory neglect allowed for more freedom, and new ideas regarding government, economy, and religion. Without the policy of salutory neglect a regime of monarchists could still be in power in America today. Thus, salutory neglect provided the essential push America needed to increase nationalism, freedom, and pave 'the American way' into the lives of present and past generations. |
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