Final answer:
In the colonies, the British government attempted to address smuggling by setting up Vice Admiralty Courts to bypass jury trials for smugglers and passing restrictive trade laws like the Woolens Act and Molasses Act. Robert Walpole's period of 'salutary neglect' meant non-enforcement of these laws, leading to further smuggling efforts by colonists. Tensions over such measures contributed to the outbreak of the American Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
To address the issue of British smuggling in the colonies, the Board of Trade in 1697 recommended the establishment of Vice Admiralty Courts, which eliminated the right to a jury trial for those accused of violating the Navigation Acts—a measure most effective against smugglers. Furthermore, the British government enacted several laws aimed at restricting colonial trade such as the Woolens Act of 1699 and the Hat Act of 1732, culminating in the controversial Molasses Act of 1733, which increased duties on molasses, sugar, and rum from non-British territories. The opposing logic of these measures to mercantilism was evident, and Robert Walpole, the king's chief minister, opted for a policy of “salutary neglect,” essentially ignoring these laws. However, when the British later attempted to enforce trade regulations, colonial merchants evaded them by smuggling, often with the assistance of the Dutch, French, and Spanish.
In the lead-up to the American Revolution, British attempts to impose order included the enforcement of preexisting taxes and introduction of new ones. These efforts were resisted by many colonists who felt their rights were being violated, particularly as trials for smuggling were conducted without juries. Increasing tensions and resentment towards British control ultimately turned into open conflict, marking the onset of the American Revolution.