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The '''Stamp Act of 1765''' was legislation passed by the British Parliament which required that all legal documents, permits, commercial contracts, newspapers, almanacs, wills, pamphlets and playing cards in the [[Thirteen Colonies|American colonies]] be taxed.  A special tax stamp was affixed to show the tax was paid.

The '''Stamp Act of 1765''' was legislation passed by the British Parliament that caused enormous outcry in America until it was repealed a year later, setting in action a chain of taxes and imperial overreach that caused the Americans to revolt in 1775. The new law required that all legal documents, permits, commercial contracts, newspapers, almanacs, wills, pamphlets and playing cards in the [[Thirteen Colonies|American colonies]] be taxed.  A special tax stamp was affixed to show the tax was paid; lawysuits and newspapers were hardest hit--a small matter in Britain where lawsuits and newspapers were far less common than in the colonies.

Parliament passed this act to pay for 10,000 soldiers in 20 battalions that were to be stationed in America. The Americans did not need the soldiers for protection--they were stationed in the colonies to provide prestigious officerships for British gentlemen, who could not be stationed in Britain itself because of opposition there to standing armies.   

Parliament passed this act to pay for 10,000 soldiers in 20 battalions that were to be stationed in America. The Americans did not need the soldiers for protection--they were stationed in the colonies to provide prestigious officerships for British gentlemen, who could not be stationed in Britain itself because of opposition there to standing armies.