Sugar Act
The Sugar Act, also known as the American Revenue Act or the American Duties Act, was a revenue-raising act passed by the Parliament of Great Britain on April 5, 1764. The preamble to the act stated: "it is expedient that new provisions and regulations should be established for improving the revenue of this Kingdom ... and ... it is just and necessary that a revenue should be raised ... for defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same." The earlier Molasses Act of 1733, which had imposed a tax of six pence per gallon of molasses, had never been effectively collected due to colonial evasion. By reducing the rate by half and increasing measures to enforce the tax, the British hoped that the tax would actually be collected. These incidents increased the colonists' concerns about the intent of the British Parliament and helped the growing movement that became the American Revolution.
Full article...
American History USA Articles
- What are the Grievances in the Declaration of Independence?
Most of the Declaration of Independence focuses on a specific set of grievances against King George III. Often they are vaguely worded.
Books/Sources
- From the Sugar Act to the Shot Heard Round the World: America Before the Revolution, 1764-1775 - Charles River Editors
- Sugar act extension, 1974: Hearings before the Committee on Agriculture, House of Representatives, Ninety-third... - United States. Congress. House. Committee on Agriculture.,