Britain’s practice of salutary neglect before 1763 encourage the colonies to move toward revolution:
Salutary neglect, which is also called as Mercantilism period was prevalent in three different periods - From 1607 to 1696, 1696 to 1763 and from 1763 to 1775. However, only during 1607 to 1763, there was a gradual transformation that allowed colonies to move toward revolution.
Salutary neglect was undocumented long-standing Britain’s policy that allowed trade relations to be lenient. This helped Great Britain to take advantage of American colonists to trade only with England, Scotland and Ireland.
The history of Salutary neglect dates back to Britain relationship with American colonies in Massachusetts where Britain used American colonies would serve as region for sourcing raw materials for Britain to prosper in manufacturing. This allowed Britain to export finished goods to colonies in return of procuring raw materials from colonies at favorable price.
Thus, it gave birth to Navigation Act by Great Britain that restricted colonies trade solely with British. Despite having regulation in place, British government could not control the trade as ports along the coastal line was difficult to control which necessitates large number of Custom officials. This resulted in illegal trade which benefited Benefit to trade goods with Dutch, French and Spanish.
Britain's first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole after assuming position in 1721 began to relax and neglect trade laws and hence it was believed to creation of Salutary neglect policy. Walpole thus used this period to British advantage by increasing taxable wealth of England. As the imperial authority didn’t asset their power, the colonists were left to self sustain themselves and take prolonged self control. Thus, Salutary neglect became a large contributing factors to the birth of American Revolution.