Before 1735, could someone in the British colonies criticize a government official (judge, governor, etc.) or an act carried out by the British government? Explain.

Answer 1

Before 1735, it was not possible for someone in the British colonies to openly criticize a government official or an act carried out by the British government. This was because of the 1735 Stamp Act, which imposed a tax on all printed materials, including newspapers, pamphlets, and books. This act was intended to prevent people from speaking out against the government, as it made it too expensive to print and distribute materials that could be critical of the government.