Question

Why did the colonists react so much more strongly to the Stamp Act than to the Sugar Act? How did the principles that the Stamp Act raised continue to provide points of contention between colonists and the British government?

Please provide atleast 2-3 paragraphs, please with supporting evidence and examples.

Answer 1

Sugar Act of 1764 was passed by Parliament with extreme support from George Grenville. The Sugar Act was put in place of widely ignored Molasses Act. The Molasses Act was an act which placed a tax on sugar, but this tax was so high there was no profit to be made, thus colonists bribed customs officials and for a much lower rate. Sugar Act was strictly enforced,and had a reasonable rate placed on sugar and therefore, did not cause for much discontent among colonists. It raised tensions as it shed light on Britain's efforts to control the politically autonomous America.

Stamp Act of 1765 was passed by Parliament under George Grenville. It required a tax on all printed items, this would cost colonists so much that it was estimated to produce 60,000 Euros a year. Because it was so costly, extreme and sudden the Stamp Act warranted the outrage it received after being issued. This caused extreme outrage from the colonists, it served as the fuel for the first imperial crisis. In efforts to oppose this, England's true exploitation was revealed.

The colonists reacted so much more strongly to the Stamp Act than to the Sugar Act because Sugar Act had a reasonable rate placed on sugar and therefore, did not cause for much discontent among colonists, however, stamp act required a tax on all printed items, this would cost colonists so much that it was estimated to produce 60,000 Euros a year. It was so costly, extreme and sudden that the Stamp Act was reacted to strongly.