What events and/or causes ended the period of Salutary Neglect for the Colonists?

Answer 1

There were several events and causes that ended the period of Salutary Neglect for the colonists. Here are some of the significant ones:

1. The French and Indian War (1754-1763): This war between Great Britain and France in North America was a major factor in ending Salutary Neglect. The British government incurred significant war debts and sought to increase revenue by taxing the American colonies.

2. The Proclamation of 1763: After the French and Indian War, the British government issued the Proclamation of 1763, which restricted colonial westward expansion beyond the Appalachian Mountains. This was seen as an infringement on the colonists' rights and contributed to growing frustrations.

3. The Sugar Act (1764): This act was passed by the British Parliament to raise revenue from the American colonies. It imposed new duties on products like molasses and sugar, and strengthened enforcement measures. This was one of the first acts that directly affected the colonists' pocketbooks and was widely resisted.

4. The Stamp Act (1765): This act imposed taxes on various printed materials in the colonies, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. It required that these items carry a stamp that could only be purchased with British currency. This act led to widespread protests and resistance, with colonists arguing that they were being taxed without their consent.

5. The Sons of Liberty and other protest movements: Influential groups like the Sons of Liberty emerged to organize protests, boycotts, and acts of resistance against British taxation and infringement on colonial rights. Their actions, such as the Boston Tea Party in 1773, galvanized colonial discontent.

6. The Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) (1774): After the Boston Tea Party, the British government passed the Coercive Acts as a punitive measure against Massachusetts. These acts included the Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the destroyed tea was paid for, as well as other measures designed to limit colonial self-governance. This further heightened tensions between the colonies and Britain.

These events and causes, among others, gradually eroded the period of Salutary Neglect and led the colonists to increasingly demand their rights and representation, eventually leading to the American Revolution.