Stamp Act, 1765: Colonial America protests British Parliament | American Revolution era | US History

What was the Stamp Act? Why was the Stamp Act important? The Stamp Act was an attempt by British Parliament to raise revenue in colonial America following the long French and Indian War, or Seven Years War. King George III was the monarch, while George Grenville was Prime Minister. Thomas Whately drafted the Stamp Act and presented it to Parliament in 1765. The House of Commons voted for the act, followed by the House of Lords. The Stamp Act passed in March, 1765. The Stamp Act provisioned tax duties on paper documents in America. All legal deeds, mortgages, newspapers, almanacs, licenses, and other certificates were to be taxed. The taxes were embossed on the documents. However, before the act becomes law on November, 1, 1765, protest erupts in the colonies. In Parliament, Isaac Barre warns the House of Commons that the Americans hold dearly to their liberties. William Pitt also sided with the colonists. Americans paid taxes to colonial assemblies, but the Stamp Act was a direct tax by Parliament, something new. Patrick Henry called for a refusal of all taxes from Parliament in the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg, Virginia. Stamp officers are intimidated. The Stamp Act is a total failure for Britain. The Act is repealed in March, 1766. However, Parliament issues the Declaratory Act, with declares Parliament the supreme power in the British Empire. Music credit: "Mongrel Dance" by Dan Bodan. Bibliography: The Long Fuse by Don Cook British Subministers and Colonial America by Franklin Wickwire Images: Library of Congress Met Museum National Gallery of Art A short film by Jeffrey Meyer Writer, researcher, historian, librarian