Which colonial act aimed at controlling the trade of sugar and molasses was largely ignored by colonial merchants?

The Molasses Act of 1733 was a significant piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament that aimed to regulate the trade of sugar and molasses imported into the American colonies, specifically from non-British territories. The act imposed a duty on imports of foreign molasses, which was a primary ingredient in the production of rum and other goods.

Colonial merchants largely ignored this act for several reasons. First, the enforcement of the Molasses Act was lax, and many colonial traders found ways to circumvent the law by smuggling in molasses from French territories. Second, the economic realities of the colonies meant that many merchants relied heavily on these imports for their livelihoods. The high taxes imposed by the act created a financial burden, which encouraged traders to engage in illegal trade practices to protect their profitability.

The broader context of colonial resistance to British economic control, exemplified by subsequent acts like the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, reflects a growing sentiment against perceived overreach by Parliament and a desire for increased autonomy. These factors combined meant that while the act was intended to bolster British economic interests, it was met with widespread disregard by the colonial merchants who found it untenable.