1995 APUSH Free Response- Salutary Neglect.

Up until 1750, Britain practiced salutary neglect toward their colonies in North America. Although a sense of mercantilism existed, Britain's lack of supervision gave the colonies a chance to govern independently and to develop separately from Britain. Britain's salutary neglect toward the colonies influenced the development of legislative assemblies, commerce, and religion by forcing the colonies to become more independent, therefore further developing characteristics of and desires to be a sovereign state. Colonies developed individual governments …

…Democratic legislature, freedom of religion, and flourishing trade amongst many nations. Due to their experiences during this time, the colonists felt they could accept nothing less than freedom from their overseas government. When Britain attempted to end salutary neglect and go back to strong mercantilism, the colonists united and fought back. Therefore, the period of salutary neglect caused a chain of events that resulted in the colonists gaining freedom and independence as a sovereign state.