Download Timeline: The Stamp Act

Timeline: The Stamp Act
1763
1764
1765
1766
Britain and France sign the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the
Seven Years' War (1756-63). Under the terms of the
agreement, France cedes control of large amounts of land in
North America to the British Crown, including parts of modernday Canada and Florida. Though victorious in the war, the
British government is left with little money in its national
treasury.
In an effort to recoup expenses incurred during the Seven
Years' War, the British Parliament ratifies the so-called Sugar
Act, a law that levies an import tax on sugar products brought
into the American colonies from the French West Indies. Some
colonial merchants, upset with the tariff, launch an informal
boycott of sugar products.
On March 22, Britain further taxes the American colonies by
passing the Stamp Act, a law that places a tax on printed paper
goods, such as newspapers, legal contracts and playing cards.
Frustrated with the growing trend of taxation without
representation, colonists riot in New York City and Boston. The
Stamp Act is scheduled to go into effect on November 1, 1765.
In October, delegates from nine colonies meet in Federal Hall
in New York in order to approve resolutions condemning the
Stamp Act. The so-called Stamp Act Congress spends about
two and a half weeks drafting documents that list colonists'
grievances with the new tax law. The resolutions are then sent
to the British Parliament and King George III. Additionally, the
Stamp Act Congress endorses a boycott of British goods as a
means of protesting the Stamp Act.
In November, anti-Stamp Act riots break out again in New York
City. A building where stamps are stored is attacked with bricks
and rocks, and several officials charged with enforcing the new
law are intimidated by protesters. Given the unrest in the
colonies surrounding the implementation of the new tariff, few
officials actively enforce the Stamp Act.
Benjamin Franklin, a representative from the colony of
Pennsylvania, speaks out against the Stamp Act during
testimony before the British Parliament, warning British
legislators that the colonists will not tolerate invasive tax laws
1767
1775
1776
that restrict the colonies' internal trade. Some members of
Parliament also denounce the Stamp Act, and urge that it be
nullified. Portions of the British business community, hurt by the
colonies' ongoing boycott of British products, pressure
Parliament to overturn the law.
On March 18, King George III signs an act repealing the Stamp
Act, but simultaneously announces that Britain has the right to
impose laws on the American colonies in the future.
The British Parliament ratifies the Townshend Acts, which
place a tariff on imported goods including glass and tea. The
new laws quickly arouse opposition in the colonies and cause
many colonists to launch an economic boycott of the newly
taxed products.
In April, following years of growing hostility and deteriorating
relations between the colonies and the British Crown, the
opening shots of the American Revolution are fired outside of
Boston, Mass.
In July, representatives from across colonial America gather in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and formally declare independence
from Great Britain.
Citation Information
MLA Chicago Manual of Style
“Stamp Act - Timeline.” Issues & Controversies in American History. Infobase Publishing, Oct. 2005. Web. 25
Oct. 2013. <http://icah.infobaselearning.com/icahtimeline.aspx?ID=112043>.