The Stamp Act

The purpose of the Stamp Act was to pay taxes on printed material such as newspapers, legal documents, dice and playing cards. They all required a government stamp to prove that taxes had been paid. This idea was introduced by George Grenville, the British Prime Minister, and passed by the British Parliament in 1765. The Stamp Act was already in place in Great Britain, and it eventually moved into America. This tax would raise money to help pay the cost of maintaining British soldiers in the colonies. The colonist did not agree with this because they did not see a reason for the British to be stationed in America since the French were no longer a threat. Because the Americans did not elect members of Parliament, it violated the new principle of “No taxation without representation.” Another concern was that they did not have the money to pay the tax. Delegates from nine colonial assembles came together in America to form the Stamp Act Congress who rejected the idea. Parliament cancelled the Stamp Act, but held on to the principle of its right to tax the colonists and adapt new taxes.

-Written By: Marcie Surratt