The Stamp Act to the Sons of Liberty

NEBRASKA CITY - The stamp act of 1765 required publishers and printers to buy special stamped paper for all legal documents, including materials in the American colonies including newspapers, pamphlets, prayer books and even playing cards.

King George III gave his royal assent on March 22 and it went into effect months later …

Americans were not happy with more taxes and the statement ‘taxation without representation’ began to be widely used.

… the Stamp Act Congress met with 27 delegates from nine of the 13 original colonies, and it took place in New York City Oct. 7 to the 25^th of 1765. The meeting produced the document called the declaration of rights and grievances. It was sent to all colony legislatures, the king and both houses of parliament.

Although the colonial letters were rejected by colonial agents and British officials, the Stamp Act Congress marked the first time a continental congress was held by the colonies in order to respond to British policies.

Ultimately British officials feared for their safety and did not widely enforce the stamp act. The lack of enforcement and complaints from British merchants who lost revenue over the act, it was soon repealed on March 18, of 1766.

The stamp act crisis also led to formation of a secret organization that organized protests, caused riots, vandalized property and harassed British officials. It became known as the Sons of Liberty.