Final answer:
The Stamp Act was a tax imposed by the British Parliament on printed materials in the American colonies. Colonists reacted strongly, organizing protests, boycotts, and demonstrations, leading to the act's eventual repeal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Stamp Act was an act passed by the British Parliament in 1765 that imposed a direct tax on printed materials in the American colonies. This tax required that various items, such as newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards, had to bear an official stamp, which could only be purchased from British authorities. The colonists reacted strongly to this act, considering it as a violation of their rights and freedoms.
They organized protests, boycotts, and demonstrations, such as the Stamp Act Congress, where representatives from nine colonies met to formally voice their opposition. Additionally, they formed secret societies like the Sons of Liberty, who used acts of civil disobedience to protest against the Stamp Act. Ultimately, the colonists' united resistance and pressure led to the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766, marking an important step towards the American Revolution.
Learn more about The Stamp Act and the reaction of British North American colonists