What was the primary purpose of the Sugar Act of 1764?

The primary purpose of the Sugar Act of 1764 was to raise revenue for the crown and limit smuggling. This act was a response to the financial strain faced by Britain after the Seven Years' War, and it aimed to generate income through regulating trade, particularly in sugar and molasses. By lowering the tax on molasses but enforcing stricter measures against smuggling, the British government sought to ensure that colonists would buy from British merchants, thus increasing royal revenue.

The act also expanded customs enforcement and established more punitive measures against smuggling, reflecting Britain’s intent to control colonial trade while bolstering its financial resources. This move was part of a series of measures that led to growing resentment in the colonies, as they began to perceive these acts as steps towards tighter British control and taxation without representation.