The first oppressive tax act passed in 1764 was the Sugar Act.
What the Sugar Act Did to Prices:
The Sugar Act lowered the tax on molasses from the previous Molasses Act rate (which was 6 pence per gallon) to 3 pence per gallon. While this was a reduction in tax, it aimed to enforce stricter regulations on smuggling and make the tax more enforceable, ultimately affecting the prices that colonists paid.
What Made the Colonists Angry:
Colonists were angered not just by the tax itself, but by the enforcement measures that came with it. The Sugar Act allowed British authorities to try smugglers in England, rather than in colonial courts, which were seen as more favorable to colonists. This process was viewed as an infringement on their rights and liberties, fueling discontent toward British rule and the growing sentiment for independence. The lack of trial by jury and the perceived overreach of British authority contributed to the colonial resistance to the act.