oct 1, 1765 - Stamp Act Congress

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The colonists were furious about the Parliament passing the Stamp Act and the Sugar Act. However, actions by individual legislatures had no reaction. Because of this, James Otis suggested an intercolonial conference to agree on a united course of action. This is how the Stamp Act Congress was born - convened in New York.

At first, the congress was a failure. Only nine out of the thirteen colonies showed up. The Congress became divided between radicals and moderates, and only an extreme few believed in stronger measures against Britain.

In the end, the Congress prevailed - every colonial legislature except one approved the Stamp Act Resolves.

These widespread boycotts enacted by individual colonists did more than the Congress to secure the repeal of the Stamp Act. However, the gesture of the Congress was significant. It showed that delegates from differing colonies could sit with each other and engage in spirited debate. This was an essential step toward the unity that would be necessary to fight for independence from England.

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