jan 1, 1733 - Molasses Act

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The Molasses Act of 1733 was a British law imposed on the American colonies, which levied a tax on molasses, sugar, and rum imported from non-British foreign colonies. Its primary aim was to protect British West Indies sugar planters from cheaper foreign competition, but it was largely evaded through smuggling by American merchants, foreshadowing the growing tension over taxation between Britain and the colonies.

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