In the past couple of centuries, numerous laws and rules were quite stringent for the layman, especially under the rule of the British empire. Huge protests and strikes were common in the earlier centuries, especially when the interests of the peasants and laymen was in conflict. To understand 'what was the stamp act of 1765', we have to go back to the political situation that existed during the actual time of passing of the stamp act of 1765.
What Was the Stamp Act of 1765?
Under the ministry of George Grenville, the then Prime Minister of Great Britain, the British parliament proposed the stamp act on March 22, 1765, with an effective date of November 1. What was the stamp act about? The stamp act was the first direct tax levied in the American colonies. As per the rules of this direct tax, it was mandatory for all newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, commercial documents, bills and all paper work issued in the jurisdiction of the American colonies, to bear a stamp. What was the stamp act for? It was to generate revenue for the British empire. The colonial people were to pay to the British empire, money in return of the embossed stamp on their documents, and that too, in British currency. It was not allowed to pay the taxes in American currencies. The embossed stamp manufacturing was done in London and brought to the American British colonies.
What Was the Stamp Act Crisis: Background
When George Grenville was elected as the prime minister, he had to deal with the national debt that was burdening the financial system of the British empire. Moreover, for reasons of colonial defense in North America, the British regime had to raise a strong army. All this required money and the newly formed prime minister, Mr. George, observed some ways to generate income. Since the political climate back home in Britain was not favorable for increasing tax rates, he introduced two acts in succession in the American colonies, under the British rule. Firstly, in April 1764, the Sugar Act was passed in the American colonies, which was initially not welcomed, but it didn't attract opposition from a large number of people. Following the sugar act, the stamp act was passed, and it was met with stiff resistance from the masses.
What Was the Stamp Act: Colonial Response
As the prime minister began aggressively hiring stamp agents for every colony, this act was opposed vehemently. The colonial leaders were worried about the losses the common man and professionals may have to bear due to the stamp act. Since they had been informed a year before, in the sugar act, about passing of the stamp act, they were already alarmed. The official announcement of passing of the stamp act just triggered the anger of civilians. Following reasons majorly caused the stamp act crisis in the American British colonies.
* As per the stamp act, the admiralty courts was to handle people who won't pay the taxes. This was seen by people as a dominance of British parliament and diminishing of the power of colonial courts.
* As per the 1689 English Bill of Rights, it was established that there must be no "taxation without representation". Since colonial people didn't have representation in British parliaments, it was a clear cut violation of their rights, as Englishmen.
* Almost all colonies elected their own legislatures and so the tax laws introduced by British parliament was seen as a breach of the rights of colonial people.
Owing to stiff opposition, violence erupted in many colonies and some stamp agents were beaten by colonial people. The mob went a step ahead to attack government officials, businesses, buildings and houses of stamp agents. Unrest in public was followed by a "closed door" meeting of delegates of several colonies.
What Was the Stamp Act Congress
In June 1765, on a call by the Massachusetts Assembly, nearly nine colonies gathered for Stamp Act Congress in New York and the "Declaration of Rights and Grievances" was produced for all colonies. It was decided that they will oppose the stamp tax and won't step back. After October 1765, Lord Rockingham (successor of Grenville) realized it was important for British business and economy to repeal the act, as protests and strikes had already caused huge losses for the British government. Hence, the stamp act was repealed from the same day. The unrest in mobs subsided after few days of repealing the stamp act. However, numerous groups like Committees of Correspondence, Sons of Liberty, and System of Boycotts, were not dissolved, but colonies vouched to make them stronger to protest for any future taxes. The issue of "taxation without representation" also remained unheard and unresolved.
So did you get what was the stamp act? It was certainly a tiny shock wave for the British empire, probably a reminder of the larger American Revolution that was destined to occur. Many historians believe that the mass unity of American British colonies in things like the stamp act pushed the way for the greatest battle of freedom – the American revolution.
What Was the Stamp Act of 1765?
Under the ministry of George Grenville, the then Prime Minister of Great Britain, the British parliament proposed the stamp act on March 22, 1765, with an effective date of November 1. What was the stamp act about? The stamp act was the first direct tax levied in the American colonies. As per the rules of this direct tax, it was mandatory for all newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, commercial documents, bills and all paper work issued in the jurisdiction of the American colonies, to bear a stamp. What was the stamp act for? It was to generate revenue for the British empire. The colonial people were to pay to the British empire, money in return of the embossed stamp on their documents, and that too, in British currency. It was not allowed to pay the taxes in American currencies. The embossed stamp manufacturing was done in London and brought to the American British colonies.
What Was the Stamp Act Crisis: Background
When George Grenville was elected as the prime minister, he had to deal with the national debt that was burdening the financial system of the British empire. Moreover, for reasons of colonial defense in North America, the British regime had to raise a strong army. All this required money and the newly formed prime minister, Mr. George, observed some ways to generate income. Since the political climate back home in Britain was not favorable for increasing tax rates, he introduced two acts in succession in the American colonies, under the British rule. Firstly, in April 1764, the Sugar Act was passed in the American colonies, which was initially not welcomed, but it didn't attract opposition from a large number of people. Following the sugar act, the stamp act was passed, and it was met with stiff resistance from the masses.
What Was the Stamp Act: Colonial Response
As the prime minister began aggressively hiring stamp agents for every colony, this act was opposed vehemently. The colonial leaders were worried about the losses the common man and professionals may have to bear due to the stamp act. Since they had been informed a year before, in the sugar act, about passing of the stamp act, they were already alarmed. The official announcement of passing of the stamp act just triggered the anger of civilians. Following reasons majorly caused the stamp act crisis in the American British colonies.
* As per the stamp act, the admiralty courts was to handle people who won't pay the taxes. This was seen by people as a dominance of British parliament and diminishing of the power of colonial courts.
* As per the 1689 English Bill of Rights, it was established that there must be no "taxation without representation". Since colonial people didn't have representation in British parliaments, it was a clear cut violation of their rights, as Englishmen.
* Almost all colonies elected their own legislatures and so the tax laws introduced by British parliament was seen as a breach of the rights of colonial people.
Owing to stiff opposition, violence erupted in many colonies and some stamp agents were beaten by colonial people. The mob went a step ahead to attack government officials, businesses, buildings and houses of stamp agents. Unrest in public was followed by a "closed door" meeting of delegates of several colonies.
What Was the Stamp Act Congress
In June 1765, on a call by the Massachusetts Assembly, nearly nine colonies gathered for Stamp Act Congress in New York and the "Declaration of Rights and Grievances" was produced for all colonies. It was decided that they will oppose the stamp tax and won't step back. After October 1765, Lord Rockingham (successor of Grenville) realized it was important for British business and economy to repeal the act, as protests and strikes had already caused huge losses for the British government. Hence, the stamp act was repealed from the same day. The unrest in mobs subsided after few days of repealing the stamp act. However, numerous groups like Committees of Correspondence, Sons of Liberty, and System of Boycotts, were not dissolved, but colonies vouched to make them stronger to protest for any future taxes. The issue of "taxation without representation" also remained unheard and unresolved.
So did you get what was the stamp act? It was certainly a tiny shock wave for the British empire, probably a reminder of the larger American Revolution that was destined to occur. Many historians believe that the mass unity of American British colonies in things like the stamp act pushed the way for the greatest battle of freedom – the American revolution.
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