Stamp Act

Over the next year the Declaratory and Townshed Acts were passed and more protest groups were formed along with community “watch” groups, which ensured that British goods were not bought or sold. The colonists finally had felt the effects of their work in 1766, when the Stamp Act was repealed. Their efforts were effective; all of the designated agents had quit before the Stamp Act had gone into effect.

The Boston Massacre was the first forceful influence, which created an anti-British feeling in the colonies. Tension was growing and on March 5,1770 hostility between the colonists and British soldiers came to a head when five colonists were killed in a riot known as the Boston Massacre. Such items as newspapers, almanacs, legal documents, and playing cards were taxed.

The colonists had responded to the Stamp Act with organized protest. Non-importation efforts were increased and the group called the Sons of Liberty was formed. This stated that the colonists were equal to all British Citizens and that they objected to taxation without representation. A downward spiral of events took place after the implication of this act, which led to future protest against British attempts to acquire revenues. Stamps, issued by the British were attached to the taxed items to indicate that the tax was paid.

In 1765 the Stamp Act was passed, this was a direct levy on the colonies to generate funds for the British. The Sons of Liberty were a secret group whose purpose was to frighten the agents who were to collect the stamp tax.