The British Parliament created the Stamp Act in 1765 as a means of generating revenue from the American colonies. The British government was deeply in debt following the Seven Years' War (also known as the French and Indian War), which had ended in 1763. The war had been expensive, and the British government saw the colonies as a source of potential revenue to pay off their debts.
The Stamp Act required colonists to purchase special stamped paper for printed documents, including legal documents, newspapers, and even playing cards. This added a direct tax on the colonies, which had not previously existed, and many colonists were outraged by what they saw as an infringement on their rights as British citizens who were being taxed without representation in Parliament. Colonists boycotted British goods, organized protests, and even engaged in acts of violence against those who supported the Stamp Act.
Ultimately, the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766 due to the widespread resistance it faced from colonists. However, the controversy surrounding the act played a role in the escalation of tensions between the colonies and Britain, ultimately leading to the American Revolution.