Sample Essay – Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was proposed by British Prime Minister Grenville soon after the parliament had passed the Currency Act. It was a means to control the repayment of the heavy debts and expenses that the government had incurred during the seven year war. This is because the British Merchants, immediately after the war, started requesting the government to repay the expenses they incurred during the war by buying British imports. Furthermore, these merchants had to be paid through the British Pound Sterling, which was more valuable than the local colonial currency[1].
The initial Currency Act stated that the colonies were no longer supposed to issue paper currency. This strategy made it difficult for the colonists to pay their taxes and debts. This act was further strengthened by the Stamp Act, which required every colonist to obtain a government stamp to undertake any legal transaction[2].
The news of this act to the colonies led to a strong opposition against it, which led to riots in Boston. Further, the news of the opposition and riots in other colonies triggered them to a similar reaction and in the end, the reactions towards the Stamp Act was a door to unite the colonies in opposition to the British government[3].
[1] US Department of State ibid.