Final answer:
The Sugar Act aimed to reduce smuggling by lowering taxes on imported sugar, whereas the Stamp Act imposed the first internal tax on a wide range of paper goods, leading to protests as it represented an overreach into colonial self-governance. The Stamp Act affected more people and encroached on what the colonists saw as their legislative rights, prompting greater resistance compared to the Sugar Act.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Sugar Act (Molasses Act) and the Stamp Act
The Sugar Act of 1764, drafted by George Grenville, was enacted by the British Parliament to replace and lower the taxes on imported sugar that were previously established by the Molasses Act of 1733. While the latter Act was largely ignored and smuggling was rampant, the Sugar Act aimed at seriously collecting tax revenue by halving the British taxes on molasses, thus reducing the incentive to smuggle.
The Stamp Act of 1765 followed, introducing the first internal tax that required revenue stamps on newspapers, legal documents, and other paper goods. This Act represented an assertion of British power to control colonial policy and sparked significant resistance in the colonies because it was seen as an infringement on their rights and legislative autonomy.
Resistance to the Stamp Act
While the Sugar Act targeted trade and had limited outreach, the Stamp Act had widespread implications for the day-to-day lives of the colonists, impacting anyone who dealt with printed materials. The Act was seen as a direct tax intended to raise revenue rather than regulate trade, a realm traditionally left to the colonial legislatures.
This overstepping led to a stronger reaction compared to the Sugar Act, as it affected a broad spectrum of society and highlighted concerns over the loss of colonial legislative authority. Governor Thomas Fitch of Connecticut argued against internal taxation, fearing it would leave the colonies with only "a shadow of legislation" if principles underlying such internal taxes were adopted.