Final answer:
Salutary neglect by England played a key role in the prosperity of colonies by allowing them to engage in trade more freely. The lax enforcement of trade restrictions boosted economic growth, with each colony adapting to the benefits of this policy in different ways.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, salutary neglect by England did contribute to the prosperity of all colonies, although the level of prosperity varied. Salutary neglect refers to the laxness with which the English crown enforced the Navigation Acts in the 18th century. This policy allowed the colonies to engage in trade without major restrictions, fostering economic growth.
Salutary neglect was particularly beneficial for New England, thanks to it having a vibrant maritime culture and its ability to build its own fleet of trading vessels. Further evidence of the positive impact of salutary neglect is found in the 1733 Molasses Act. Despite the act placing duties on raw sugar, rum, and molasses from competing countries, lax enforcement allowed New England mariners to smuggle these items cheaper than purchasing from English outlets.
Overall, salutary neglect led to economic prosperity as colonies could engage in trade more freely and weren't limited to English merchants, which resulted in a flourishing of the colonial economies and made a significant contribution to the economic growth and development of the colonies.
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