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Parent Category: Encyclopedia of 18th Century History
Category: Encyclopedia Entries S to W
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The Stamp Act was passed on March 22, 1765, by the British Parliament to defray the expenses incurred during the French and Indian War.

 

This act required that stamps, purchased from the British government, must be on all imported documents, periodicals, almanacs, pamphlets and playing cards.

This act was to pay off the debt incurred during the French and Indian War. The revenue from this act would pay for the upkeep of the troops stationed in the Colonies.

These troops would prevent France from recovering Canada and defend the Colonies against the Indians. Most Englishmen, especially the London merchants, thought it only right that the Colonies should help pay for the support of these troops.

This tax aroused great opposition among the colonists for three reasons:
1. The Colonists thought they should not be taxed except by their own representatives.
2. They opposed the presence of British troops.
3. The tax had to be paid in silver.

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