Question

12 in what way did the american colonies benefit from salutary neglect?
it allowed them to avoid mercantilist policies and make higher profits.
it forced them to give most of their profits to the mother country, who then gave them supplies they needed.
it allowed them to choose whether or not to declare war against other european nations.
salutary neglect had no positive effect on the american colonies.

Explanation:

Salutary neglect was a British policy of loosely enforcing mercantilist laws (which restricted colonial trade to benefit Britain) in the American colonies. This allowed colonists to trade with non-British entities, avoid strict mercantilist restrictions, and keep more profits from their commerce. The other options are incorrect: the second option describes mercantilism itself, not salutary neglect; colonies did not gain the power to declare war independently; and the policy clearly had positive economic benefits for the colonies.

Answer:

A. It allowed them to avoid mercantilist policies and make higher profits.