Final answer:
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a British tax on printed materials in the American colonies, which led to the slogan 'no taxation without representation' and significant protests. The Act prompted the Stamp Act Riots and was eventually repealed, though Britain continued to assert its right to tax the colonies, leading to further conflict and the American Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Stamp Act of 1765
The Stamp Act was a significant turning point in American colonial resistance to British rule and a contributing factor to the American Revolution. Implemented after the French and Indian War, the British government sought to have American colonists contribute to the debt incurred during the war and the cost of maintaining British soldiers in the colonies. Starting November 1, 1765, it taxed a wide array of printed materials in the colonies, which had to bear a revenue stamp as proof of payment. This act imposed a direct tax and raised serious constitutional questions about the rights of the colonists, as they had no representation in Parliament. This led to widespread protest under the slogan "no taxation without representation," and the act was eventually repealed due to the severe backlash from the colonies.
The Stamp Act Riots and the emergence of resistance groups like the Sons of Liberty were direct responses to the Act's implementation. Tensions escalated with acts of vandalism and violent protest. Following the rebellion, the British Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 but maintained their right to tax the colonies with the Declaratory Act. This chain of events continued to fuel the unrest that eventually led to the Revolutionary War.