Stamp Act

George Grenville

Apr 16, 1763

In April 1763, George Grenville replaced a Lord as the Prime Minister. Grenville, a former First Lord of the Treasury, wanted the American colonies to contribute to the costs of maintaining a British Army in North America after the war. Grenville saw this as only fair since the taxes on the British people had increased dramatically during the war. Grenville proposed a Stamp Act for the colonies.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament

House of Burgesses

May 29, 1765

On May 29, 1765, the House of Burgesses passed five resolves proposed by Patrick Henry, a young, newly-elected member from Hanover County.

Nine colonies

Oct 13, 1765

Delegates from nine colonies met in New York City and prepared a statement protesting the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act Congress, which was the first united action by the colonies

John Adams

Dec 5, 1765

In December 1765, John Adams (1735-1826), who would later become the second president of the United States, wrote that this had "been the most remarkable year of my life." The Stamp Act, "that enormous engine...for battering down all the rights and liberties of America," had raised a spirit of resistance throughout mainland British North America.

Abolished

1766

Parliament abolished the Stamp Act