the stamp act

The Stamp Act

What it was: On March 22, 1765, the British Parliament passed the “Stamp Act”. The act required the colonists to pay a tax on forms of papers, documents, and playing cards. The colonists knew what papers they needed to pay taxes on because they had a stamp in the corner. 

Cause: The British Parliament created this new law to help pay for British troops stationed in the colonies during the French and Indian War. The tax was created without the approval of the colonialists. 

Effect: Colonists felt these taxes were unfair. Resistance to the act was demonstrated through debates in the colonial legislatures, written documents (including legislative resolves, prints, and songs), and mob/crowd actions such as tarring and feathering tax collectors.


Definitions: 
Parliament- Group of people who make the laws in Britain's government
Tax- extra amount of money to be paid when buying a good