Unit 3 Lesson 2: New Laws and Negative Reactions

Unit 3 Lesson 2: New Laws and Negative Reactions - The Stamp Act

Who was involved? The key parties involved in the Stamp Act included:

• The British Government: Specifically, the Parliament that passed the law to raise revenue from the colonies.
• Colonial Citizens: This group included ordinary colonists such as merchants, printers, and consumers who were directly impacted by the new tax.
• Colonial Leaders: Figures like Samuel Adams and members of groups such as the Sons of Liberty, who organized protests against the Act.
• The Stamp Act Congress: A gathering of representatives from nine of the thirteen colonies that met in October 1765 to coordinate opposition to the Act.

What happened? The Stamp Act, enacted on March 22, 1765, required that many printed materials produced in the colonies—including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards—be made on stamped paper produced in London, which included a tax. This law provoked widespread discontent and resistance among the colonists, as they viewed it as a violation of their rights to be taxed without representation. In reaction to the Act, protests erupted across the colonies. Many colonists refused to pay the tax, and some resorted to violence, targeting tax collectors. The discontent eventually led to the formation of the Stamp Act Congress, which united various colonies in opposition to the tax.

Where did the event take place? The Stamp Act protests took place in various cities across the American colonies, including significant events in Boston, New York City, and even as far south as Savannah in Georgia.

When did the event take place? The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament on March 22, 1765. It was effectively enforced until it was repealed on March 18, 1766, following widespread protest and boycotts.

Why is this event important to Georgia’s history? The Stamp Act is significant to Georgia’s history as it underscored the escalating tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain. It catalyzed a growing sense of unity among the colonies against British rule and set the stage for future resistance movements that would ultimately contribute to the American Revolution. In Georgia, as in other colonies, the Act prompted colonists to engage in collective political action and to express their grievances against what they perceived as oppressive legislation.