1. The Stamp Act of 1765 Most important event leading to the American Revolution Purpose: Raise revenues to support military Provisions: – Purchase and use special stamped paper for newspapers, customs documents, marriage certificates, death certificates, mortgages, insurance policies, liquor licenses, & playing cards. Both Sugar Act and Stamp Act - offenders - admiralty courts Projected revenues – 12-20% of military expenses

2. Sugar Act EXTERNAL TAX – Levied on IMPORTS Regulate trade, fell mainly on merchants and ship captains Stamp Act INTERNAL TAX – levied directly on property, goods, and government services IN the colonies Raise revenue for the crown and touched everyone – if you make a will, transferred property, bought playing cards, newspapers…

3. Grenville’s' view: Stamp Act - reasonable and just – Colonials pay fair share for colonial defense – Stamp Act in Britain much heavier, in effect since 1695

4. Resisting the Stamp Act May 1765 – Patrick Henry (VA Lawyer) - Virginia Resolves 5 of 7 resolutions adopted by House of Burgesses, including non-importation. Claimed Virginia could only be taxed by Virginians. – "No taxation w/o representation" Assemblies of 8 other colonies passed resolutions similar to Virginia’s.

5. Colonies had "virtual representation" in Parliament – All British subjects were represented, even those who did not vote for members in Parliament. Colonists dismissed "virtual representation“ Did not really want "direct representation" (actual representation) – Would mean increased taxes (as in Britain) – Increased responsibilities to the crown – Colonial reps. would be heavily outnumbered in Parliament

6. Stamp Act Congress (1765) Brought together 27 delegates from 9 colonies Statement of rights and grievances – Parliament no authority to levy taxes outside GB, deny any person jury trial demanded end to the Stamp Act Set precedent for future resistance to British rule. Non-importation agreements against British goods.

7. Grass-roots resistance (means??) Loyal Nine – artisans, shopkeepers, businessmen in Boston Pressure stamp collectors to resign Why Boston??? Andrew Oliver/Thomas Hutchinson Sons of Liberty

8. Samuel Adams Violently enforced nonimportation agreements against violators; (tarring & feathering was one painful tactic). Late 1765 - stamp act agents were forced to resign; no one risked selling stamps.

9. October 31, 1765 – NY merchants – BOYCOTT British goods – Other cities followed Colonists purchased 40% of England’s manufactured goods!! – PANIC!!

10. Stamp Act repealed in 1766 Parliament - Declaratory Act Way it was worded – Colonists saw it as a way to save face – Parliament saw it - right to tax colonies in the future.

11. Quartering Act, 1765 Provide food/quarters for British troops. INDIRECT TAX – colonial assemblies had to raise $$ NY – most soldiers New York Suspending Act – NY resisting, GB threatened to nullify all laws passed by colony if assembly refused to vote supplies