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What upset New England merchants most about the Sugar Act of 1764?
AThat the duty on molasses was raised sharply
BThat it banned all trade with the West Indies
CThat steps were taken to enforce it effectively
DThat it applied only to the northern colonies
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. That steps were taken to enforce it effectively
1. For over a generation New Englanders had imported molasses from the French and Dutch West Indies without paying duty.
2. The amended Sugar Act put only a modest duty on molasses from all sources.
3. What caused consternation was that steps were now being taken to enforce the duties effectively.
4. Customs officers were told to show more strictness and warships were sent to seize smugglers.
5. The duty itself was small, so a sharp rise in the rate is not what the merchants complained of.
_Source: An Outline of American History (U.S. Information Agency, 1990, public domain), section TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION AT ISSUE_
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