The Stamp Act was a law introduced by the British prime minister named George Greenville. This law was passed by the British Parliament on March 22, 1765, without debate and was to become effective on November the 1 of 1765. .
Purpose.
The purpose of the Stamp Act was to pay for some of the costs of the French and Indian War. This law was imposed by Lord George Greenville. He asked the English Parliament to impose the Stamp Act. This was to be the first direct tax on the American colonies. All printed materials were taxed, including; newspapers, pamphlets, bills, legal documents, licenses, almanacs, dice and even playing cards ("Stamp Act."). This law would go in effect Nov. 1, 1765. The Stamp Act was to raise $60,000 yearly in the colonies in order to help support the cost of maintaining British troops. The total cost to raise was $350,000 annually.
Britain thought they would collect $60,000 pounds a year from this tax. Even though each stamp would cost from 1/2 penny to 10 pounds. The colonists were afraid that England would not stop at just this tax.
What Stamp Act Required.
The Stamp Act required all legal documents, licenses, commercial contracts, newspapers, pamphlets, and playing cards to carry a tax stamp ("Stamp Act."). .
The Stamp Act was an act extended to the colonies. The system of stamp duties then employed in Great Britain and was intended to raise money to defray the cost of maintaining the military defenses of the colonies. First, it was passed without debate, it aroused widespread opposition among the colonist, who argued that because they were not represented in Parliament. The could not legally be taxed without their consent.
The Congress.
The Stamp Act Congress was to organize means of protesting against the tax. Colonial businessmen agreed to stop importing British goods until the act was repealed, and trade was substantially diminished. Refusal to use the stamps on business papers became common and the courts would not enforce their use on legal documents.
