The Stamp Act Flashcards
What is the Stamp Act?
Colonists were required to buy a stamp for every piece of paper used, including wills, licenses, playing cards, etc.
What caused the British government to pass the Stamp Act?
Another effect of the French and Indian war was that British Government was in debt, and they needed a way to pay it off. The idea itself was suggested by Prime Minister George Grenville.
How did the colonists initially react?
They were astonished, not by the taxes themselves, but the fact that they didn’t have say in making the taxes. “No taxation without representation!” they said.
After the initial reaction, what did the colonists do?
They sent letters to Parliament. Loyalists simply didn’t buy the stamps but patriots, specifically the Sons of Liberty were much more violent and attacked the tax collectors (even going as far as to almost bury one alive).
How did Parliament react to the colonists’ protests?
After a few months, the repealed the Stamp Act.
