mar 22, 1765 - The Stamp Act

Description:

The Stamp Act was a tax on all paper products, including but not limited to almanacs, newspapers, wedding, birth, and death certificates, playing cards, and dice. It was implemented as a way for Britain to collect money needed to pay off debt from the Seven Years War.

While most of the taxes weren't particularly high, the number of items taxed and the lack of input from colonial governments led colonists to hate the Stamp Act with a passion. "No taxation without representation" became a popular slogan during this time. Petitions were sent to England, and many protests and riots broke out. Independence wasn't really considered at this point, but the Stamp Act did set the stage for future rebellion and resistance.

Image Credits
Green, Jonas. "The Fatal Stamp." The Maryland Gazette, 10 Oct. 1765, MSA SC 2731, https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdstatehouse/html/stairwellrm_revolutionary_fatal_stamp.html.

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