The Stamp Act was a significant piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament, requiring all printed materials in the Thirteen Colonies to carry a tax stamp. It was enacted primarily to help fund British military operations in North America and to recover debts resulting from the recent Seven Years' War. This legislation encompassed a wide range of printed items, including newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, and even licenses, all of which required the purchase of a tax stamp to be deemed legal. The act was met with an outcry from the colonists, who argued that it violated their rights as English subjects to be taxed without representation in Parliament.

The colonial response was swift and forceful. Leaders such as Samuel Adams and James Otis rallied against the Stamp Act, arguing that it was a direct threat to their liberties and self-governance. They initiated a campaign of boycotts against British goods, organized protests, and eventually formed the Stamp Act Congress, where representatives from various colonies gathered to express their grievances. This was one of the first unified actions taken by the colonies against British authority, indicating a growing sense of American identity.

As the implementation date approached in November, tensions escalated. Sons of Liberty groups, formed to resist British policies, took to the streets in protest, often intimidating local stamp distributors. Many of these officials resigned, effectively halting the enforcement of the Act. The widespread dissent showcased the colonies' growing resistance to British rule and laid the groundwork for future confrontations, leading to increasing discontent that would eventually contribute to the American Revolution.