b) Sugar Act

The Sugar Act of 1764, passed by the British Parliament, aimed to regulate trade and collect revenue from the colonies. This act lowered the duty on molasses but strictly enforced the collection of these duties, impacting the rum industry in the colonies. Additionally, it established measures to curb smuggling, which was widespread under the previously lax enforcement. The Sugar Act marked a shift in British policy from salutary neglect to more direct control and taxation, contributing to the growing discontent among colonists. This act, along with subsequent taxation measures, played a key role in escalating the tensions that led to the American Revolution.