The British government passed the Stamp Act to tax the American colonies in order to help pay off war debts from the French and Indian War. The colonists protested this tax because they believed they should not have to pay taxes imposed by the British Parliament without their consent or representation. Groups like the Sons of Liberty organized boycotts of British goods, which put pressure on Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act. However, the Stamp Act crisis heightened tensions between Britain and its American colonies over issues of taxation and representation.

1. Stamp ActSons of Liberty

2. Sending soldiers to America to fight + 7 long years of fighting = broke British governmentThe king and Parliament decided to tax the American colonies to help pay for some of the war debt.They thought because they were fighting to protect the colonies, the colonies should help pay for it.Colonists didn’t disagree with the idea of paying taxes, but with the idea that the British government could tax them without their consent.French & Indian War

3. This wasn’t the first tax, but it was the most important because it was the first direct taxplaced on the colonists.Before this all taxes were indirect, or paid by the merchants.Taxed paper – legal documents, newspapers, playing cards.Stamp Act

4. “No taxation without representation!”Colonists felt they should not have to obey a government that didn’t give them a vote. Colonists thought all taxes should be enacted through their local colonial legislature/assemblies.Colonists met in a “Stamp Act Congress” to organize a boycott of British goods.The boycott worked, causing Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act.

5. Sons (and Daughters) of LibertyGroups of colonists organized to protest the taxes being imposed by Parliament.Christopher Gadsden was a merchant from Charles Town who spoke out against the British taxes.Served as a delegate to the Stamp Act CongressFounder and leader of the Charles Town Sons of LibertyThe Sons of Liberty enforced boycotts through persuasion and intimidation.