The Stamp Act Essay - 1327 Words

The Stamp Act The passing of the Stamp Act by Parliament in 1765 caused a rush of angry protests by the colonists in British America that perhaps aroused and unified Americans as no previous political event ever had. It levied a tax on legal documents, almanacs, newspapers, and nearly every other form of paper used in the colonies. Adding to this hardship was the need for the tax to be paid in British sterling, not in colonial paper money. Although this duty had been in effect in England for over half a century and was already in effect in several colonies in the 1750?s, it called into question the authority of Parliament over the overseas colonies that had no representation therein. When the news of the passage of this†¦show more content†¦Lastly, That it is the indispensable duty of these colonies, to the best of sovereigns, to the mother country, and to themselves, to endeavour by a loyal and dutiful address to his Majesty, and humble applications to both Houses of Parliament, to procure the repeal of the Act for granting and applying certain stamp duties, of all clauses of any other Acts of Parliament, whereby the jurisdiction of the Admiralty is extended as aforesaid, and of the other late Acts for the restriction of American Commerce. Simply by suggesting that Parliament had overstepped its implied boundaries, the colonists were considered to be boldly defiant. The Resolutions were sent to the king and Parliament, where they were met as warmly as the Stamp Act itself was in the colonies. Many Englishmen held their own opinions of these, including Soame Jenyns, a member of Parliament from 1741-1780. Jenyns wrote a pamphlet entitled The Objections to the Taxation of our American Colonies by the Legislature of Great Britain, briefly consider?d. The excerpt in the text argues for Parliament?s right to tax the colonies and discusses briefly the theory of virtual representation. He begins by censuring those questioning the jurisdiction of Parliament: The right of the Legislature of Great-Britain to impose taxes on her American Colonies, and theShow MoreRelatedThe Stamp Act686 Words   |  3 PagesThe Stamp Act 9/24/15 The Stamp Act was an important act introduced by the British Prime Minister George Grenville that was then passed in March 1765 by the British Parliament. The purpose was to raise money for national debt of Britain after the Seven Years War and Parliament needed means to help fund expensive costs of keeping troops inside the colonies. The act levied a tax on legal documents, almanacs, newspapers, and nearly every other form of paper used in the colonies. The BritishRead MoreThe Stamp Act and the Tea Act1748 Words   |  7 Pagestheir ideas were best expressed through the rights they determined Americans had, what roles they each played in saving those rights and how important they thought those rights were. They got together and formed in 1765, in Boston right after the stamp act and that’s originally where they got their name. They had another name that they were also known as called the loyalist. They had quite an amount of members and they all were helpful in some way. The men’s who leaded this party were John Adams, SamuelRead MoreThe Stamp Act Of 17651517 Words   |  7 Pages When the Stamp Act of 1765 was passed in the Thirteen Colonies, the colonists were compelled to rethink their loyalty and standing with the British monarchy. The Stamp Act would be the first actual tax levied upon the colonists, which caused outrage in the Thirteen Colonies. The act would place a tax on any document and printed paper that they used: such as legal documents, newspapers, and licenses. All thirteen colonies did not agree that the tax was passed with legality and refused to acknowledgeRead MoreStamp Act of 17651867 Words   |  8 PagesS. History It can easily be said that the Stamp Act of 1765 was the beginning of the revolution for the colonies of North America. Before the Stamp Act, there were other failed attempts to tax the colonies by the British parliament. Each attempt to gain money from the colonies was unlawful because there was a lack of representation from Parliament. The Stamp Act of 1765 was very detailed and expensive for the colonists. The Stamp Act was the final act of taxation by Parliament before the coloniesRead MoreTaxation and The Stamp Act Essay590 Words   |  3 PagesTaxation and The Stamp Act The Stamp Act was introduced by the British Prime Minister, George Grenville and passed by the British Parliament in 1765, by means of raising revenue in the American colonies. The Stamp Act required all legal documents, licenses, commercial contracts, newspapers, pamphlets, and playing cards to carry a tax stamp. The money collected by the Stamp Act was to be used to help pay the costs of defending and protecting the American frontier near the Appalachian MountainsRead MoreWhat the Stamp Act Really Meant Essay1639 Words   |  7 PagesThe central thesis of my paper is the Stamp Act and how it was brought about and what it meant to the American Colonies. As well as why it was necessary. February 6th, 1765 George Grenville came forth in Parliament to propose his Stamp Bill. Not knowing that it would forever be a significant part of history. The Act was a tax on every piece of printed paper the colony used. Including, legal documents, licenses, and even playing cards. The tax also had to be paid with British currency. Colonial paperRead MoreThe British Were Selfish to Impose the Stamp Act on the American Colonists765 Words   |  4 PagesThe British Were Selfish to Impose the Stamp Act on the American Colonists The British Government is selfish, and tyrannical for imposing the Stamp Act on American Colonists. I feel that they are selfish and tyrannical because they never let anyone have a voice of ideas, advice, or have rights. Everything was under their control; so it was going to be their way. They quoted,† With the money we make from taxes, we can pay off all of our war debt.† I also believe that the American Colonists wasRead MoreThe Stamp Act1599 Words   |  7 Pageshowever, it is evident that the Stamp Act was the true mark of no return in American history. When the act came into law in 1765, there was a growing resentment from colonists towards British parliament in regard to taxes. England actually paid more in taxes, but Americans felt they had done a lot for Britain and were concerned about England interfering with their local government systems and taking away their rights. Many colonists, such as Patrick Henry, used the Stamp Act as an opportunity to shareRead Mor eStamp Act Essay1333 Words   |  6 PagesThe passing of the Stamp Act by Parliament in 1765 caused a rush of angry protests by the colonists in British America that perhaps aroused and unified Americans as no previous political event ever had. It levied a tax on legal documents, almanacs, newspapers, and nearly every other form of paper used in the colonies. Adding to this hardship was the need for the tax to be paid in British sterling, not in colonial paper money. Although this duty had been in effect in England for over half aRead MoreThe Declaration Of The Stamp Act1241 Words   |  5 Pagesof Britain’s government and faced consequences if they rebelled. The passing of these three acts limited the colonist’s privileges and resulted in them yearning for freedom. The Tea Act, Stamp Act and Intolerable Acts were the most important in leading the colonists to writing the Declaration of Independence. The ratification of the Stamp Act, Tea Act, and Intolerable Act occurred within 1765-1774. Each act forced colonists to pay a tax or limit their rights, whether to create revenue for the British