The Stamp Act By Ashley Albrecht

Before the actual war of the Revolution could begin, there had to be a revolution “in the minds and hearts of the people.” -John Adams One of the most important factors in this change of heart was an innocent looking document called the Stamp Act.

Historical Background The French and Indian War caused England to go into dept. King George 3 thought colonists should help pay. George Greenville proposed an act to tax printed material in the colonies. England already had taxes. Passed by Parliament on March 22, 1765.

What Was The Stamp Act? Taxed all legal, commercial and printed documents, as well as other printed material. Items would be stamped when the tax was paid. First direct tax placed on the colonies.

Actual Stamps There were a variety of stamps used. Stamps were put on newspapers, customs documents, licenses, college diplomas, and most legal documents. Offenders were to be tried in vice-admiralty courts without a jury.

Reactions by Colonists The colonists boycotted British goods and stores that sold them, lawyers or printers who used stamps or stamped paper. Many lawyers and printers refused to use stamps or stamped paper.

More Reactions In Massachusetts, rioters destroyed Andrew Oliver’s house, a new stamp commissioner. He quit the next day! There was also violence sparked by the Sons Of Liberty.

More Reactions There were even threats of tar and feathering. On November 1, 1765, the day the Stamp Act was to officially go into effect, there wasn’t a stamp commissioner left in the colonies to collect the tax. In Boston, a mob hung and then beheaded an effigy and “stamped” it into pieces. In New York, rioters ransacked a British officer’s house. The officer had said he “would cram the stamps down American throats at the point of his sword!”

Reactions by Colony Government Stamp Act Congress met in New York from Oct to discuss how to respond. They set up petitions to Parliament, and a declaration of rights and grievances. Letters told King George 3 that it wasn’t so much the amount of tax but the right to tax its self. Asserted that the only body that could tax them was their own colonial government.

“Taxation without Representation” Colonies had no representation in Parliament. Because of this they felt that they had no say in whether or not this act should be passed. Many legislators felt the colonists were being taxed unfairly - more than England itself.

Repeal Stamp Act ended on March. 18, Parliament passed the Declaratory Act to keep England on top.

Importance in American History United for a common cause, this response paved the way for the American Revolution. Set a pattern of colonial defiance. Mutual distrust had been established. Many young “patriots” began to take on leadership roles including, Patrick Henry, William Pitt, John Adams, and Samuel Adams. Philosophical differences remained on both sides.

Bibliography A Summary of the 1765 Stamp Act Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress October 19, Sugar Act and Stamp Act The Stamp Act The Path to Revolution mpact.htm

More Bibliography THE STAMP ACT RIOTS and TAR AND FEATHERING tar.html To Tax or not to Tax Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions Stamp Act States/History/Colonial_Life__1585_1783_/Stamp_Act/