Salutary neglect refers to which English policy regarding its colonies?

Salutary neglect was a policy employed by the English government during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, characterized by a lack of strict enforcement of trade regulations and colonial governance. This approach allowed the American colonies a degree of freedom to operate independently and pursue their own economic interests, even as they remained under British rule.

Colonial merchants frequently engaged in trade practices that bypassed English laws, taking advantage of the lack of oversight. This relatively hands-off approach fostered a climate of economic growth and self-governance in the colonies, contributing to the development of a distinct American identity. The absence of strict enforcement was viewed as beneficial ("salutary") to both the colony's economic wellbeing and the relationship with Britain, as it allowed the colonies to prosper without heavy interference.

This period of salutary neglect began to shift after the French and Indian War when Britain sought to increase regulation and taxation in the colonies, setting the stage for growing unrest and the eventual push for independence.