Salutary Neglect
What does "salutary neglect" refer to in the context of British colonial policy?
"Salutary neglect" refers to the British government's unofficial policy of loosely enforcing trade laws and allowing a degree of self-governance in its North American colonies, essentially "turning a blind eye" to colonial activities as long as they remained loyal to the Crown and contributed to the British economy
What was the purpose of the Sugar Act?
The Sugar Act of 1764 was introduced by British Prime Minister George Grenville in an attempt to raise funds from the minimally taxed American colonists to provide for their defense and to use strict penalties to end the smuggling trade of sugar and molasses.
What was the slogan that emerged from colonial protests against taxation?
The Act resulted in violent protests in America and the colonists argued that there should be "No Taxation without Representation" and that it went against the British constitution to be forced to pay a tax to which they had not agreed through representation in Parliament.
What sparked the Boston Massacre?
In October 1768 British troops arrived in Boston at the request of the governor. The presence of the soldiers disturbed the colonists. On March 5, 1770 an argument happened between a colonist and a single British soldier. Others started gathering and insulting each other until the soldiers began shooting.
Who were some Enlightenment thinkers that influenced colonial thought?
John Locke (with his concept of natural rights and the social contract), Montesquieu (known for the separation of powers), Jean-Jacques Rousseau (ideas on popular sovereignty), Voltaire (advocating for religious tolerance and freedom of speech), and Thomas Paine (who actively promoted revolutionary ideals).
How did salutary neglect affect colonial attitudes toward British rule?
For the colonists, this policy expanded freedom when it came to trade and self-government, and resulted in colonial growth and prosperity. Salutary neglect enabled the American colonies to prosper by trading with non-British entities, and then to spend that wealth on British-made goods, while at the same time providing Britain with raw materials for manufacture.
Describe the Stamp Act and its significance.
The act required the colonists to pay a tax, represented by a stamp, on various forms of papers, documents, and playing cards. It was a direct tax imposed by the British government without the approval of the colonial legislatures and was payable in hard-to-obtain British sterling, rather than colonial currency.
Who were the Sons of Liberty and what was their role?
The Sons of Liberty, a well-organized Patriot paramilitary political organization shrouded in secrecy, was established to undermine British rule in colonial America and was influential in organizing and carrying out the Boston Tea Party.
What were the Coercive Acts also known as?
The Coercive Acts of 1774, known as the Intolerable Acts in the American colonies, were a series of four laws passed by the British Parliament to punish the colony of Massachusetts Bay for the Boston Tea Party.
What was the social contract theory?
In simple terms, social contract theory asserts that government exists only by the consent of the people in order to protect basic rights and promote the common good of society.
What was one consequence of the end of salutary neglect?
One major consequence of the end of salutary neglect was a growing sense of resentment and resistance among the American colonists towards British rule. Increased colonial independence came to a halt when salutary neglect ended and the British government began reinforcing trade regulations and taxes on the colonists. The shift in control from Britain brought attention to the deep-seated resistance from the colonies, which ultimately led to the American Revolution.
What items were taxed under the Townshend Acts?
To help pay the expenses involved in governing the American colonies, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts, which initiated taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea.
What was the Boston Tea Party and why did it happen?
The Sons of Liberty strongly opposed the taxes in the Townshend Act as a violation of their rights. In response, the Sons of Liberty, some disguised as Native Americans, destroyed an entire shipment of tea sent by the East India Company. To protest British Parliament's tax on tea. "No taxation without representation."
What was the response of colonial leaders to the Intolerable Acts?
Colonists responded by convening the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, where they decided to boycott British goods and send a petition to King George III demanding the repeal of the acts.
Explain the concept of "virtual representation."
By definition, virtual representation is the political concept that elected members of a representative body do not represent individuals or a geographic region but represent the entire country or empire. This theory was developed in Great Britain as the empire expanded.
Explain how salutary neglect contributed to the American Revolution.
Salutary neglect benefitted the American colonies by allowing them to establish foreign trade relationships without British government control. The colonies also had enough freedom from the British to shape the foundations of American government.
What was the Currency Act and why was it important?
The Currency Act, passed in 1764 along with the Sugar Act, prohibited the printing and issuance of paper money by Colonial legislatures. It also set up fines and penalties for members of Colonial government who disobeyed, despite the long-standing currency shortage.
Describe the significance of the Stamp Act Congress.
The Stamp Act Congress of 1765 was a meeting of delegates from nine American colonies who met to discuss the rights of the colonists regarding British taxation such as the Stamp Act. The colonists desired 'no taxation without representation' and responded to the Stamp Act with the Declaration of Rights and Grievances.
How did British officials justify taxation without representation?
British officials justified "taxation without representation" by claiming that colonists were already "virtually represented" in Parliament, meaning that even though they didn't have direct elected representatives, Parliament was still acting in their best interests as part of the British Empire; essentially arguing that all British subjects, regardless of location, were represented by Parliament as a whole.
How did Enlightenment ideas challenge British authority?
Enlightenment ideas challenged British authority by promoting the concept of individual rights, questioning the divine right of kings, advocating for a government based on consent of the governed, and emphasizing the use of reason over tradition, which directly contradicted the established power structure of the British monarchy and its absolute authority over the people.
Provide an example of a law that was ignored during the period of salutary neglect.
A prime example of a law frequently ignored during the period of salutary neglect was the Navigation Acts, which restricted colonial trade by requiring that goods be transported only on British ships, but colonists often engaged in widespread smuggling to bypass these regulations, effectively ignoring the law due to lax enforcement by British authorities.
What were the main components of the Declaratory Act?
The declaration stated that the Parliament's authority was the same in America as in Britain and asserted Parliament's authority to pass laws that were binding on the American colonies. An Act for the better securing the Dependency of His Majesty's Dominions in America upon the Crown and Parliament of Great Britain.
How did women contribute to the resistance against British taxes?
The Stamp Act also placed taxes on liquor licenses—women being many of the tavern owners in the colonies. The Daughters of Liberty popularized the idea of boycotting the stamps and taxed goods, effectively leading to the repeal of the Stamp Act altogether.
What was John Adams' role in the Boston Massacre trial?
For the trial of the soldiers, John Adams agreed to serve as the lead defense lawyer. The prosecution team, Robert Treat Paine and Samuel Quincy, remained the same. From the beginning of the trial, neither side contested that one or more of the soldiers had discharged their weapons on that fateful night
How did John Locke's beliefs influence the colonists' viewpoint on representation?
John Locke's beliefs significantly influenced the colonists' viewpoint on representation by emphasizing the idea that government authority derives from the consent of the governed, meaning that citizens have the right to be represented by those who govern them, and if they are not adequately represented, they have the right to resist or overthrow that government; this principle directly fueled the colonists' "No taxation without representation" cry during the American Revolution.