Why was the stamp act more controversial than the sugar act?

The Stamp Act impacted more people in the colonies and hurt the people economically whereas the Sugar Act was not hurting business in the colonies. Merchants in New England were actually able to make more money off of the act.

The Sugar Act place a tax on sugar and molasses as well as attempting to end the smuggling trade taking place with the Dutch and French. Though these products were more expensive it actually helped many merchants make more money without the competition of other countries.

The Stamp Act required a tax on all government stamps. The stamps were necessary for all contracts and official government documents. Those involved in trade needed more stamps than others and therefore greatly protested the added tax. The Stamp Act was so protested that violence was used against the stamp collectors and led to the act being repealed a year after passage.

1920 census

2010 census