Summary:
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a tax that was put upon the American colonies by the British. The tax was on all printed materials: magazines, newspapers, documents, etc (Brinkley).This forced the colonists to pay extra for things that they would already use. The British forced this on the American colonies so that they could help to pay off the debt that they had during the French and Indian War. Starting in 1765 all printed material had to be stamped by the government, to insure that the printed material had been paid for (Elliot).
What was taxed:
How did the Colonies respond?
Importance of the Stamp Act:
The Stamp Act proved to be important because it was one of the main starters of the American Revolution. It also proved itself to the American Colonists, that they could work together to get a common goal. The British had pushed the Colonies buttons to much and the Colonies reacted (Elliot).
Original Stamp Act Text:
British Parliament - 1765
An act for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties, in the British colonies and plantations in America, towards further defraying the expences of defending, protecting, and securing the same; and for amending such parts of the several acts of parliament relating to the trade and revenues of the said colonies and plantations, as direct the manner of determining and recovering the penalties and forfeitures therein mentioned.
An act for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties, in the British colonies and plantations in America, towards further defraying the expences of defending, protecting, and securing the same; and for amending such parts of the several acts of parliament relating to the trade and revenues of the said colonies and plantations, as direct the manner of determining and recovering the penalties and forfeitures therein mentioned.
WHEREAS by an act made in the last session of parliament, several duties were granted, continued, and appropriated, towards defraying the expences of defending, protecting, and securing, the British colonies and plantations in America: and whereas it is just and necessary, that provision be made for raising a further revenue within your Majesty’s dominions in America, towards defraying the said expences: we, your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the commons of Great Britain in parliament assembled, have therefore resolved to give and grant unto your Majesty the several rates and duties herein after mentioned; and do most humbly beseech your Majesty that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by the King’s most excellent majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in this present parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That from and after the first day of November, one thousand seven hundred and sixty five, there shall be raised, levied, collected, and paid unto his Majesty, his heirs, and successors, throughout the colonies and plantations in America which now are, or hereafter may be, under the dominion of his Majesty, his heirs and successors, ...
The rest of the document found here: http://ahp.gatech.edu/stamp_act_bp_1765.html
The rest of the document found here: http://ahp.gatech.edu/stamp_act_bp_1765.html
*Bibliography is under "More" in the "Bibliography" section.*