Sugar Act (various)

The Sugar Acts, enacted by Britain in the 1760s, were laws that taxed the import of sugar and molasses from non-British colonies, primarily in the Caribbean. Their goal was to raise revenue and regulate trade, especially to benefit British merchants. The taxes irritated American colonists because they increased costs for goods they relied on, like sugar and molasses, and were enforced strictly, causing resentment. These acts contributed to growing tensions between the colonies and Britain, ultimately fueling the desire for greater independence.