The Molasses Act
In 1763, Britain won the French and Indian War. Under the terms of the Treaty of Paris, Britain gained the French territories in Canada. However, the war left Britain with enormous amounts of debt. Because these high repercussions, Britain needed to raise taxes to keep its economy well-balanced. Britons believed it was only right for the colonists to deal with higher taxes as well, for they were benefiting from the effects of the French and Indian War. In 1764, the British Parliament passed the Sugar Act in the colonies. The Sugar Act revised a past act: The Molasses Act of 1733. Under the terms of the Molasses Act, the law required colonial merchants to pay a tax for the imported goods, such as molasses and rum. However, the implementation
of the Molasses Act in the colonies was poorly executed and was easily avoided through smuggling. The enactment of the Sugar Act lowered the tax of imported goods such as sugar down by three cents, but in turn fixed the Molasses Act’s fatal flaw by cracking down on smuggling. Dedicated British ships were deployed around colonial waters to ensure that smugglers could not make it through to the ports of major cities. Also, colonial courts lost their authority to put trials for colonial smugglers from British courts. The changes in both the economy and self-government led to many merchants becoming rebellious towards British’s control in their way of life. Town meetings were held more frequently, and colonists began shouting the phrase “No taxation no representation;” which quickly became more popular known in the colonies. While the colonists themselves were not too irritated by the taxes, many dislike Britain’s motives without at least allowing the colonies to offer their opinion on the matter.
of the Molasses Act in the colonies was poorly executed and was easily avoided through smuggling. The enactment of the Sugar Act lowered the tax of imported goods such as sugar down by three cents, but in turn fixed the Molasses Act’s fatal flaw by cracking down on smuggling. Dedicated British ships were deployed around colonial waters to ensure that smugglers could not make it through to the ports of major cities. Also, colonial courts lost their authority to put trials for colonial smugglers from British courts. The changes in both the economy and self-government led to many merchants becoming rebellious towards British’s control in their way of life. Town meetings were held more frequently, and colonists began shouting the phrase “No taxation no representation;” which quickly became more popular known in the colonies. While the colonists themselves were not too irritated by the taxes, many dislike Britain’s motives without at least allowing the colonies to offer their opinion on the matter.