Stamp Act Riot (1765)

Burdened by crushing debts from the French and Indian War (1754-63), the government of British Prime Minister George Grenville passed a series of measures aimed at raising revenue in the thirteen colonies that included the Sugar Act, Quartering Act, Currency Act, and Duties in American Colonies Act of 1765, commonly called the Stamp Act. Passed by the House of Commons on February 27 and House of Lords on March 8, 1765, the Stamp Act required the purchase of stamps and their placement by colonists on all legal documents, licenses, insurance policies, school and college diplomas, playing cards, newspapers, ...