Which act was designed to reduce taxes on sugar and molasses while encouraging compliance with navigation laws?

The Sugar Act was specifically implemented in 1764 to lower the existing tax on molasses imported into the American colonies from the British West Indies. The act aimed to make it easier for colonial merchants to comply with the Navigation Acts, which were regulations that enforced trade exclusively through English ships and promoted English goods. By reducing the tax rate, the Sugar Act sought to reduce widespread smuggling and encourage legal trade practices, while at the same time raising revenue for the British government.

The other acts listed served different purposes: the Stamp Act dealt with taxation on printed materials; the Quartering Act required colonial governments to provide accommodations for British soldiers; and the Currency Act restricted colonial paper currency, which were unrelated to sugar and molasses taxes. This context further clarifies why the Sugar Act stands out as the key legislation aimed at both taxing sugar and fostering adherence to trade laws.