The Stamp Act of 1765

First, let’s review…

Problems Immediately After the War #1: Britain has a large war debt (120 million pounds) #2: Natives are attacking the frontiers (Pontiac’s Rebellion)

Proclamation of 1763 King’s response to Natives attacking the frontiers Becoming too expensive to protect colonists (320,000 pounds a year) Colonists unhappy about the order to remain to the east of the mountains.

Stamp Act Passed on March 22, 1765 by Parliament. Imposed on all American colonists. Required colonists to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper (legal documents, newspapers, playing cards). Tax was a small amount – would only add up to 100,000 pounds collected each year.

So What is the Problem? Colonists were used to paying taxes to regulate commerce (make people buy certain goods) but not to raise money for the government. It was not approved by colonial legislatures because Parliament does not have representatives for the colonies. SO…If colonists allowed the Stamp Act to pass without resistance it could open the door for far worse.

Reaction to the Act Analyze the two primary source documents. Complete analysis questions in complete sentences. You will be working with your Amazon Rainforest Partner.

Document #1 Source information Like calling them friends FREEDOM! Must fight the king…exaggeration Perspective FREEDOM! Document #1 Exaggeration Perspective Source information

Document #1: Analysis Who is the author of the documents? The author of this source is an American colonist, specifically a Patriot. 2. What is the source of this document? When was it written? This document is from the Boston Gazette, a newspaper from Boston, Massachusetts. It was published October 7, 1765. 3. What is their perspective of the Stamp Act? How do you know? The author of this letter is against the Stamp Act. I know this because he is calling for other colonists/patriots to help fight against the “enslavement” by the King and that they need to protect their liberty in America and they should “tell your representatives that you do not support this terrible and burdensome law.”

Perspective – blame a religious group for riots Source information Perspective – blame a religious group for riots Document #2 Believes Presbyterians working toward independence – not true at this time just unhappy with taxation without representation Perspective Source information

Document #2: Analysis Who is the author of the documents? The author of this source is John Hughes, a Stamp Distributor in Philadelphia. 2. What is the source of this document? When was it written? This document is a letter that was written to Hughes’ bosses in London. It was written in Philadelphia on January 13, 1766. 3. What is their perspective of the Stamp Act? How do you know? The author of this letter is in support of the Stamp Act. I know this because not only is he a Stamp Distributor (person who collects taxes) but he also reports that “the colonists have been insulting His Majesty” and that “I am daily threatened by verbal messages and anonymous letters, with a mob of several thousand people.” Hughes claims that the behavior of the colonists has been inspired by the Presbyterians, a religious group that was persecuted in Britain and had come to America for religious freedom. He believes this because Presbyterians do not believe in a king.

Reflection Question In your opinion, is the Stamp Act unfair and unreasonable? Why or why not?