How did colonists react to the molasses act?

Answer 1

The Revenue Act of 1764, also known as the Sugar Act was passed by Parliament, because it reduced the duties on imported sugar and other products imported from other places outside of the British Empire.

However, smugglers were able to avoid the earlier duties. To ensure that this tax would now be collected, and to stamp out smuggling, the act placed several courts in the major American seaports.

These courts had no juries. Naval judges examined evidence, weighed guilt, and passed sentence. The system was simple and effective.

The colonists didn't like any taxes that King George III placed upon them. It would eventually take the American Revolutionary War to put a stop it.

Answer 2

The Molasses Act of March 1733 was an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, which imposed a tax of six pence per gallon on imports of molasses from non-British colonies.The Act was not passed for the purpose of raising revenue, but rather to regulate trade by making British products cheaper than those from the French West Indies.

Largely opposed by colonists, the tax was rarely paid, and smuggling to avoid it was prominent. If actually collected, the tax would have effectively closed that source to New England and destroyed much of the rum industry. Yet smuggling, bribery or intimidation of customs officials effectively nullified the law.