Why did American colonists object to the Sugar Act of 1764, even though it lowered the existing tax on molasses?

• A. Because it eliminated all taxes on imported goods.
• B. Because it only applied to British merchants and not colonial traders.
• C. Because it increased the price of sugar in the colonies.
• D. Because it was enforced more strictly and represented taxation without representation.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of the Sugar Act of 1764: It was a British law that imposed a tax on molasses and other goods imported into the American colonies.
2. Recognize that although the Sugar Act lowered the existing tax rate on molasses, it introduced stricter enforcement measures to ensure tax collection.
3. Recall the concept of 'taxation without representation,' which means the colonists were being taxed by the British Parliament without having any elected representatives in that body.
4. Analyze why stricter enforcement mattered: Previously, many colonists avoided paying the tax through smuggling or bribery, but the Sugar Act increased customs enforcement and penalties, making it harder to evade the tax.
5. Conclude that the colonists objected not just because of the tax rate, but because the act symbolized British control and lack of colonial political voice, which violated their rights as Englishmen.