Directions: Annotate the main idea above each paragraph. Write key points in the margin. Answer the questions at the end of the reading.
The Stamp Act Controversy
Something was dreadfully wrong in the American colonies.
All of sudden after over a century and a half of permitting relative self-rule, and granted virtually all rights we enjoy today, Britain was exercising direct influence over colonial life. In addition to restricting westward movement, the parent country was actually enforcing its trade laws.Worst of all, the British now began levying taxes against American colonists. What had gone wrong?
The British point of view is not difficult to grasp. The Seven Years' War (French and Indian War) had been terribly costly. The war protected the American Colonists from French incursion into American territory. The taxes asked of the American colonists were lower than those asked of mainland English citizens. The revenue raised from taxing the colonies was used to pay for their own defense. Moreover, the funds received from American colonists barely covered one-third of the cost of maintaining British troops in the 13 colonies.
The Americans, however, saw things through a different lens. What was the purpose of maintaining British garrisons in the colonies now that the French threat was gone? Americans wondered about contributing to the maintenance of troops they felt were there only to watch them.
True, those in England paid more in taxes, but Americans paid much more in sweat. All the land that was cleared, the Indians who were fought, and the relatives who died building a colony that enhanced the British Empire made further taxation seem insulting.
In addition to emotional appeals, the colonists began to make a political argument, as well. The tradition of receiving permission for levying taxes dated back hundreds of years in British history. But the colonists had no representation in the British Parliament. To tax them without offering representation was to deny their traditional rights as English subjects. This could not stand.
The Stamp Act of 1765 was not the first attempt to tax the American colonies. Parliament had passed the Sugar Act and Currency Act the previous year. Because tax was collected at ports though, it was easily circumvented (avoided). Indirect taxes such as these were also much less visible to the consumer.
When Parliament passed the Stamp Act in March 1765, things changed. It was the first direct tax on the American colonies. Every legal document had to be written on specially stamped paper, showing proof of payment. Deeds, wills, marriage licenses — contracts of any sort — were not recognized as legal in a court of law unless they were prepared on this paper. In addition, newspaper, dice, and playing cards also had to bear proof of tax payment. American activists sprang into action.
Taxation in this manner and the Quartering Act (which required the American colonies to provide food and shelter for British troops) were soundly thrashed in colonial assemblies. From Patrick Henry in Virginia to James Otis in Massachusetts, Americans voiced their protest. A Stamp Act Congress was convened in the colonies to decide what to do.
The colonists put their words into action and enacted widespread boycotts of British goods. Groups such as the Sons and Daughters of Liberty (who would later lead the Boston Tea Party) did not hesitate to harass tax collectors or publish the names of those who did not comply with the boycotts. Colonists were known to have tarred and feathered tax collectors and poured scalding tea down their throats. To further intimidate tax collectors wood engravings usually featured a noose in the background. (see picture)
Soon, the pressure on Parliament by business-starved British merchants was too great to bear. The Stamp Act was repealed the following year.
The colonists responded feeling they won a great victory. The picture to the left shows "the funeral of procession of Miss America Stamp" Notice the dog urinating on the presiding minister. The King and Ben Franklin saw this as somewhat disrespectful.
Later the king would impose the Declaratory Act saying England can impose any Act on the colonies. This would lead to a series of events culminating in our American Revolution. And it all started here with the Stamp Act.
Directions: Using a separate sheet of paper answer the question below. Use specific details to support your answers.
1. Write a summary of the English position for imposing the Stamp Act
To pay for French Indian War to protect the colonists.
Never been directly taxed before.
Americans did not pay a third of what it cost to keep solders in the colonies.
2. Why did the Sugar and Currency Acts not bother colonists like the Stamp Act?
It was limited to the ports.
Tax collectors were avoided and consumers were not that aware
3. Write a summary of why the Colonists opposed the Stamp act
Americans paid in sweat of clearing and developing the land for benefit of the crown.
They have fought Indians and have died for the Crown.
taxation without representation was to deny their traditional rights as English subjects.
4. Write a summary of the colonists reaction and methods used to repeal the tax.
Boycott on British goods and those items that needed the stamp, Harassment
5. Based on both arguments, was the Crown just in imposing the Stamp Act? include specific details to
support your position.YES.
6. Why was the Stamp Act repealed? Complaints from businessman of extreme loss of business