What tax was imposed on sugar that led to colonial unrest?

The Sugar Act is the correct answer because it was specifically designed to raise revenue from the American colonies by taxing sugar and molasses imported into the colonies. Enacted in 1764, this legislation sought to reduce smuggling and enforce stricter regulations on trading and revenue collection. It not only imposed duties on these goods but also aimed at curbing illegal trade practices that had developed in response to previous acts and economic conditions.

The impact of the Sugar Act was significant in creating a sense of unrest among colonists, who believed that the act further encroached on their rights and the autonomy they had enjoyed. This resistance could be seen as an initial step towards organized opposition against British taxation without representation, ultimately contributing to rising tensions that led to the American Revolution.

In contrast, the Stamp Act was another taxation measure but focused on a wider range of printed materials, while the Townshend Acts targeted various goods, including tea, glass, and paint. The Tea Act was specifically related to tea sales and was designed to bail out the British East India Company. Each of these acts contributed to colonial discontent, but it was the Sugar Act that specifically imposed a tax on sugar, making it directly responsible for that particular unrest.