The Stamp Act Essay

Soon the Quartering Act was passed, directing the colonies to provide quarters for British soldiers. Americans found this oppressive because it meant that soldiers were placed in colonial homes. In 1764 Parliament passed the Stamp Act, putting a duty on most printed materials. This was a normal tax for the British as it had been going on in Britain for a long time, and it made sense that the rest of their empire would pay the same tax. This placed a burden on merchants and the colonial elite who did most legal transactions and read the newspapers. Also passed in the same year was the Declaratory Act, which stated that the colonies were subject to the will of Parliament. This made a lot of sense to the British, as Parliament was their ruling body, but, to the colonies who had become used to their own government during the years of salutory neglect, this was a direct threat to their way of life.

What colonial response to the Stamp Act and other “internal taxes” did Franklin predict? What, if anything, could Parliament do to enforce the colonists’ compliance?  At first, the colonists were unable to do much about the regulations. Patterns of Popular Culture 1.

Hundreds of years ago, there was a war that made the British stop controlling the American colonies and made what is today the United States of America. The colonies were huge underdogs with poor amounts of supplies and clothing, but surprisingly found a way to victory and got their independence from the British. Since the war, America has been an independent and powerful country in the world as they still are today. Sparks flew in colonist anger as British Parliament passed acts that America thought were unreasonable, such as the stamp act, this act was in place so the British could raise money. The colonists at this time had to buy stamps that were imprinted into paper goods, newspapers, documents, advertisements, and playing cards. The stamp act was one of the most hated acts by the Americans since it applied to everyone and they always needed the stamps. Another act the British made was a series of taxes called the townshend acts in 1767. This act was a tax on all imported goods, and made the Patriots

In the chapter Kings, Parliament, and Inherited Rights, starts off with the quote about the revolution. The revolution was in the mind and the hearts of people, a change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations. The evolution of the revolution began was an argument over rights that changed into struggle for power of each party to assert their rights as it understood them, then afterward struggle for empire as Americans began to conceive a more ambitious and independent course for themselves. Americans believe that legally of all parliamentary statutes was measured against the constitution; on that basis, being unrepresented in Parliament, they denied the rights of the body to tax them directly according to the principles of constitutional law. A particular act focused on in the chapter is the Stamp Act, which imposed a stamp tax ranging from one shilling to six on various commercial and legal documents such as wills, mortgages, and college degrees, as well as on newspapers, almanacs, calendars, pamphlets, playing cards and dice. Also the Trade and Navigation Acts was a parliamentary revenue raised in America would make England governors and their appointees independent of local pressure and more faithful enforcing British statutes. These made the colonies more united. Colonies wanted to distance

By 1765, at a Stamp Act Congress, all but four colonies were represented as the “Declaration of Rights and Grievances” was passed. They were determined to let Parliament know that they were equal to British citizens, that there would be no “taxation without representation,” and all efforts to stop tax on colonists would continue (Kennedy, etal 2011.) Although Lord Rockingham, the predecessor of Grenville, sought to repeal of the Stamp Act, this in no way meant Parliament was conceding their control. In fact, while the Stamp Act was repealed, another called the “Declaratory Act of 1766,” gave Parliament the authority to make laws binding the American Colonies, “in all cases whatsoever.” In 1767, George III passed the Townshend Acts to collect tax on glass, lead, paints, paper and, tea. Recognizing that tea was a favorite among the Americans, it ensured greater revenue the British government. Again, the colonists’ rights for representation were ignored and they started to boycott British goods and ultimately, smuggle tea. When the Quartering Act was passed, which specified that colonists were to give room and board to British troops, tension began to rise. For two years, the colonists tolerated British troops on their soil and their dissatisfaction with the British Parliament and King George III became evident through many violent riots, abusiveness of tax collectors and destruction of property. According to Kennedy, etal (2011), Parliament, continually met with

Cory Charlemont Mr. Farese September 26, 2016 LEQ Prior to the Declaration of Independence, Britain’s and its colonies relationship continued being strained by the colonist ideals of liberty and self- government. The Declaration of independence is a turning point because it confirmed the fact the colonist were now fighting for their freedom, it also established the basic principles like “all men are equal” and are endowed with the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Tensions formed due to strict laws which constrained the colonies economic policies. A few of the many law passed by parliament was the stamp act of 1765, which cause the colonist to be taxed for official and legal documents, the Sugar

The Stamp Act Resolutions was in retaliation of the Stamp Act. “When the government exceeded those limits and threatened the liberties of citizens, states had the right to interpose their authority (pg 168). This brought up the phrase “taxation without representation.” Which enforced that any of his Majesty’s people couldn’t impose taxes on the people, only the leaders of the colony could, and in turn that leader had to be taxed as well. They wanted to boycott trade with Britain, until they repealed the Stamp Act. Yet in the Resolutions of the 1st Continental Congress; “… delegates stopped short of declaring that it (Parliament) had no authority in the colonies” (pg 115). So although Parliament couldn’t “impose taxes or make laws” they weren’t

The Stamp Act, although repealed March 18th, 1766, increased tensions between England and the Colonies and inspired both Adams' anonymous essay in the Boston Gazette entitled “A Dissertation on Cannon and Feudal Law” and “'The Braintree Instructions' written by Adams, a document adopted by 42 Massachusetts towns, affirming the “unconstitutionality of taxation without

The British decided to tax the Americans, as they believed it was necessary as a result of the colonies obtaining advantages of British troops. In order to clarify that the

On March 22, 1765 the British Parliament passed a bill called the Stamp Act. I am Adam and I am 14 years old. I just heard two people talking about the the Stamp Act that just came out of a town meeting. “What was talked about in the meeting about the Stamp Act” and got no response from them. I have to find out what that meeting was all about. A week later, I found out what the meeting was all about. It was about if we are going to pay the taxes on all the paper things or are we not. This is all about the Stamp Act from King George the third. The problem is the King is making us have taxes on every paper thing we buy such as: newspaper, notebooks, playing cards, and etc. The reason was to raise money needed for military forces and defenses. The reaction of the Stamp Act was an outburst of denunciation. “ Unlike previous Acts and Taxes imposed by the British on the colonies the Stamp Act affected everyone.” Every colony was all affected badly by the taxes.

British Parliament declared that the crown and the British parliament had the right to make laws that affected the colonies so as to maintain order. The mother country also had the right to maintain a military presence over the colonies if it was so required. Concerning taxation, Jenyns states that the colonists’ view that taxation must be preceded by the power to elect representatives is unfounded, citing the example of towns in Great Britain who did not have explicit parliamentary representation but are still taxed (Para. 2). Also, the document refutes the notion that taxation can only Thus, with the consent of the people. Therefore, Parliament had the power to impose taxes on the colonies and additionally held the right to use these taxes.

After Patrick's failure, other colonists decided to take matters into their own states. The Stamp Act Congress was formed as well as the Sons of Liberty. After their efforts, Parliament repealed the tax, and everything turned back to normal. Although, America and England still have tension between them today.”

“The Revenue Act of 1764 did not bring in enough money to help pay the cost of defending the colonies. The British looked for additional sources of taxation. Prime Minister Grenville supported the imposition of a stamp tax. Colonial representatives tried to convince Grenville that the tax was a bad idea. Grenville insisted in having the new taxes imposed and presented to the parliament. The parliament approved the tax in February 1765. The colonies responded with outrage. It was considered a “shocking act”.(2)

From the Parliamentary act, I understand that the mother country, Great Britain, had all rights and power over the colonies. They tried to control the colonies in any way they could. In doing so, they did things like the Stamp Act then the Declaratory Act. They used many different Acts in different situations but all for the same purpose. The Parliament’s authority was the same in America as in was in Britain. Everything that was taxed from goods to slaves, always found its way back to Britain. However, I don’t think Britain acknowledged or respected the rights of the colonists.

A Stamp Act Congress of representatives from nine settlements met in New York in October 1765, passed resolutions declaring their rights, and requested of the ruler, the Lords, and the Commons for review of their grievances. What else could the settlers do? Permitting the Stamp Act to become effective would make a point of reference for new charges, which Parliament would without a doubt affirm over and over in light of the fact that each assessment on the Americans eased them and their constituents of that money related