The Stamp Act was introduced by the British Parliament in 1765, imposing a direct tax on a wide array of documents and printed materials in the American colonies. This tax was intended to raise revenue to pay for British troops stationed in North America after the costly Seven Years’ War. However, it sparked intense dissatisfaction among the colonists, who argued that it violated their rights as Englishmen to be taxed without representation. Protests erupted across the colonies, with notable actions including the formation of the Sons of Liberty and widespread boycotts of British goods. Pamphlets, such as those penned by Samuel Adams, called for unity against what they viewed as oppressive legislation.

The mounting pressure influenced key figures in Britain, including Benjamin Franklin, who famously testified before Parliament, arguing that the tax was counterproductive and detrimental to British interests. After significant public outcry and economic boycotts from the colonies, British merchants began to feel the economic repercussions of the colonial resistance, prompting calls for a repeal. On March 18, 1766, Parliament voted to repeal the Stamp Act, leading to celebrations in the colonies. The repeal affirmed the power of organized resistance and underscored the emerging divide between Britain and its American colonies.

The repeal did not, however, quell tensions entirely; instead, it established a precedent for future colonial resistance and discussions about rights and governance. With the American colonies feeling emboldened by their victory, discussions about independence began to take root, setting the stage for future confrontations.