Final answer:
The Stamp Act was a direct tax imposed by the British Parliament on the American colonists. It required revenue stamps to be placed on various paper goods. The Act sparked protests and the slogan 'no taxation without representation' became popular.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Stamp Act was a direct tax imposed by the British Parliament on the American colonists in 1765. It required that revenue stamps be placed on various paper goods such as newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. The Act sparked widespread protests and outrage among colonists, who argued that they were being taxed without representation in Parliament. The slogan 'no taxation without representation' became a rallying cry for the colonists.