The Revenue Act of 1762 was a piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament aimed at increasing tax revenue from the American colonies. This act was part of a series of measures designed to address the financial strain on Britain following the costly French and Indian War.
One of the main objectives of the Revenue Act was to tighten customs enforcement and crack down on smuggling, which had been rampant in the colonies. It aimed to regulate trade more stringently and ensure that duties imposed on imported goods were collected effectively. In particular, the act increased the revenue from customs duties and was structured to provide better funding for British troops stationed in North America.
This act, along with others during this period, contributed to rising tensions between the colonies and Britain, as many colonists felt that such revenue measures were unjust and an infringement on their rights. The Revenue Act of 1762 set the stage for subsequent legislation, including the more famous Stamp Act of 1765, which further escalated colonial grievances and ultimately led to the American Revolution.