The Stamo Act
The Stamp Act: What a Disaster!
“No taxation without representation!” This was the cry that came forth from the American rebellion after George Greenville proposed the Stamp Act in England’s House of Commons. George Greenville had a plan to help pay off debt and help pay for soldiers to protect the American frontier. The Stamp Act, Greenville’s plan, was proposed on March 9th 1765 and took effect on March 22nd 1765. The act was to tax printed documents such as ship papers, legal papers, newspapers, licenses, and even playing cards. This act was passed by the British Parliament but wasn’t accepted for long from the Americans. To many it was taken offensively because taxes were originally used for commerce reasons; however, when the Stamp Act came about their money was being used for fundraiser purposes. Was Greenville’s Stamp Act plan a good idea? Although it helped pay off England’s debt and helped pay for England’s protection, it also upset those who were required to pay the extra tax with having no say as to how their money was being used (Colonial Williamsburg). Some things prior to the Stamp Act were The Sugar Act, The Seven Year War with France, and a Royal Proclamation. The reason there was so much debt to be paid off was because of Great Britain’s involvement in the Seven Years War with France. Hundreds of thousands of pounds were spent on the war by the colonies. George Greenville, the British lord of the treasury, wanted to have Americans pay to help reduce debt. Greenville’s responsibility was to have an effect on economies, to raise money to help budget, and to enforce trade laws (Copeland, 192-193).
In order to do what he needed to, Greenville proposed The Royal Proclamation which prohibited settlement along any rivers that fall between the Atlantic Ocean going both West and North. This Proclamation however, was opposed by the colonists because they felt it was unnecessary. The American Colonies were starting to gain economic maturity. Although
“No taxation without representation!” This was the cry that came forth from the American rebellion after George Greenville proposed the Stamp Act in England’s House of Commons. George Greenville had a plan to help pay off debt and help pay for soldiers to protect the American frontier. The Stamp Act, Greenville’s plan, was proposed on March 9th 1765 and took effect on March 22nd 1765. The act was to tax printed documents such as ship papers, legal papers, newspapers, licenses, and even playing cards. This act was passed by the British Parliament but wasn’t accepted for long from the Americans. To many it was taken offensively because taxes were originally used for commerce reasons; however, when the Stamp Act came about their money was being used for fundraiser purposes. Was Greenville’s Stamp Act plan a good idea? Although it helped pay off England’s debt and helped pay for England’s protection, it also upset those who were required to pay the extra tax with having no say as to how their money was being used (Colonial Williamsburg). Some things prior to the Stamp Act were The Sugar Act, The Seven Year War with France, and a Royal Proclamation. The reason there was so much debt to be paid off was because of Great Britain’s involvement in the Seven Years War with France. Hundreds of thousands of pounds were spent on the war by the colonies. George Greenville, the British lord of the treasury, wanted to have Americans pay to help reduce debt. Greenville’s responsibility was to have an effect on economies, to raise money to help budget, and to enforce trade laws (Copeland, 192-193).
In order to do what he needed to, Greenville proposed The Royal Proclamation which prohibited settlement along any rivers that fall between the Atlantic Ocean going both West and North. This Proclamation however, was opposed by the colonists because they felt it was unnecessary. The American Colonies were starting to gain economic maturity. Although