Final answer:
Britain ended the period of salutary neglect after the French and Indian War, imposing direct taxes and challenging the colonial self-governance tradition. This escalated tensions, leading to 'no taxation without representation' and set the colonies on the path to the Revolutionary War and independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Following the French and Indian War, which ended in 1763, Britain ended its period of salutary neglect, leading to increased regulation and taxation on the American colonies. This shift in policy was significant in that the tradition of colonial self-governance was challenged by the British Crown.
Measures such as the Sugar and Stamp Acts, which were designed to raise revenues by imposing direct taxes on the colonies, and the concept of 'virtual representation' led to vehement opposition from the American colonists who argued that they could only be taxed by their own elected legislature.
As a response to the Crown's policies, colonial opposition became more vocal and organized through the formation of the Committees of Correspondence and convening of the Continental Congresses. The rallying cry 'no taxation without representation' summarized the American stance and set the stage for the Revolutionary War and subsequent Declaration of Independence, shaping the trajectory of American history towards independence and the foundation of the United States.