In theory, the royal governors of the colonies had great power. In reality, the colonial legislatures held the most power. They created and passed laws regarding defense and taxation. They set salaries for royal officials and influenced appointments of local officials. Britain allowed its colonies more freedom to govern themselves than other European nations did. England having a long tradition of strong local government and weak central power and the British government lacking the resources to enforce its wishes upon colonial America were two reasons this came about. At the same time, such s

alutary neglect encouraged the maturation of colonial political systems and the colonial legislatures. Differences between the colonies gradually disappeared as common forms of local government and common experiences among the colonists brought people together. Americans became used to regulating their own affairs without significant interference and developed self-reliance by effectively organizing their government. As colonial societies expanded and matured, colonists expected the British home government to uphold, or at least not interfere with, the prosperity and autonomy they enjoyed.

The British Salutary Neglect before1750 advanced the colonists to a distinctive society. This society was filled with diverse religions, commerce, and discrete legislative assemblies. Salutary neglect enabled Americans to become used to regulating their own affairs without significant interference from Britain.

Before 1750, American colonists saw reduced government intervention in trade and commerce. Prime minister, Sir Robert Walpole, believed leaving the colonies alone to run their own affairs with little interference would produce more wealth and commerce, and cause less friction. Britain would provide peace, protection, commerce, ensure law, and send mo

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