Stamp Act

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The Stamp Act was an act that was passed by the British Parliament that was to go into effect on November 1st, 1765. This act was created to help pay the costs to govern and protect the American colonies. The Stamp Act required stamps to be placed on all legal and commercial documents and various articles. Many colonists did not want the act to be implemented. For that reason, Samuel Adams put together the Sons of Liberty to help abolish this law. Then the Stamp Act Congress was composed to completely repeal the act. The Stamp Act was one of the many taxes that the British Parliament put on the colonies as a source of wealth. This act made it necessary for colonists to put stamps on almost all written documents and other various articles.
To start, the Stamp Act was a tax on the American colonies by the British Parliament. This act was formed in order to raise revenue to pay the costs of governing and protecting the American colonies. This act was supported by Britain’s Chancellor of the treasury department, George Greenville. Paul Gilje points out that, “Since Great Britain had accumulated a debt over £135 million the British first minister, George Greenville, thought it only appropriate that the colonies contribute to their own defense. Maintaining an army in North America would cost about £200,000 per year” (Gilje, Paul A). This act required stamps to be put on all legal and commercial documents such as licenses, liquor permits, newspapers, almanacs, advertisements, papers that were issued in the colonies and various articles like dice and playing cards. Colonists could not participate in any business without the stamped paper. Gilje also explains that, “Anyone interested in any transaction—whether it was buying a ...

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...liquor licenses, land instruments, indentures, cards, dice, newspapers, pamphlets, advertisements, academic degrees, and appointments to office. Most of the colonists disapproved of this law. Since the colonists did not agree with the Stamp Act, Samuel Adams put together the Sons of Liberty to end the act. Then the Stamp Act Congress was formed to repeal the act as well. In October 1765 delegates from nine colonies met in New York City for the Stamp Act Congress. Finally on March 18th, 1766 the Stamp Act was repealed by the British government. The Declaratory Act then took place of the Stamp Act the same day.

Works Cited
Gilje, Paul A. "Stamp Act." American History Online. Facts On File. Web. 09 Dec. 2013
“Stamp Act.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. 6th ed. 2013. Web. 09 Dec. 2013.
"Stamp Act." American History Online. Facts On File. Web. 09 Dec. 2013.

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