Final answer:
Britain's policy of salutary neglect was a form of lenient enforcement of regulations in the American colonies, which ended after the French and Indian War as Britain sought to raise revenue to cover war expenses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Great Britain had a policy of salutary neglect towards its colonies which meant that the British government adopted a lenient approach in enforcing its laws in the colonies. This policy was strongly influenced by the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, Robert Walpole, who believed that the colonies would flourish economically if left to their own devices, without strict enforcement of regulations such as the Navigation Acts. Salutary neglect allowed colonial trade to grow and develop, with New England especially benefiting from a vibrant maritime culture and the building of trading vessels.
However, following the French and Indian War, which ended with the Peace of Paris, Britain abandoned the policy of salutary neglect. The war had been costly, and the British government sought to raise funds to cover the costs of protecting and maintaining the colonies by enforcing stricter control and passing a series of acts for revenue. This shift from neglect to enforcement contributed to mounting tensions between Britain and the American colonies, ultimately leading to the colonies' push for independence.