The Stamp Act      A:  What did the act do?       B:  How did the colonists respond?

A: The Stamp Act was a law introduced by the British in 1765 that required the colonists in the Thirteen Colonies of America to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. This included legal documents, licenses, newspapers, and even playing cards. The tax was to be paid in valid British currency, not in colonial paper money.

B: The colonists responded with intense opposition. They felt that it was unfair for them to be heavily taxed by a government in which they had no representation. This led to protests and boycotts of British goods. The phrase "No taxation without representation" became a rallying cry. The Stamp Act Congress was formed, which was a meeting of representatives from the Thirteen Colonies who petitioned the King and Parliament to repeal the act. The act was eventually repealed in 1766 due to the economic pressure caused by the boycotts. However, the conflict it sparked was a significant factor leading to the American Revolution.