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March 22, 1765
The Paper Seal |
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On March 22, 1765, the British government created the Stamp Act to help pay back the debt the British government had built up from helping the colonists fight the French and Indians. This tax was created to make the colonists pay a fee for the use of such paper products as newspapers, playing cards, and even legal documents. Many of the colonists were not happy with this new act so they refused to buy (boycott) the British goods. Men from the colonies formed groups called the Sons of Liberty. These groups often used violence and bullying to fight the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act was repealed, or taken away, by the King on March 18, 1766. Even after the King had taken away this tax, the colonists were still angry. Some began calling themselves Patriots (people who love their country enough to fight for it), while others remained loyal to the King (Loyalists). |
