Stamp Act

This passage describes the Stamp Act.

Lexile Level: 500L

Categories: History

The Stamp Act was passed in 1765. The British Parliament decided to tax all printed items in the U.S. colonies. For example, newspapers, cards, and legal papers had to bear a stamp. The stamp was sold by the British to raise money. The colonists protested. They did not want to be taxed by a government where they were not represented. The colonists refused to buy the stamps. They bullied the tax collectors. They burned the stamps. They decided to stop buying English goods. They formed the Stamp Act Congress. It met in New York City. At the meeting, colonists declared that the Stamp Act was unconstitutional. It was against the law. They stated that all taxes had to be approved by the colonial governments. They petitioned the king and the Parliament. Their actions worked. The tax was cancelled in 1766.