Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765

It placed a tax on almost all printed materials, including newspapers, wills, and playing cards. This was a direct tax collected at the time of purchase. Because Parliament did this without consulting the colonial legislatures Parliament ignored the colonial tradition of self-government. So the Virginia House of Burgess passed a resolution, or formal expression of opinion, declaring only it had the right to tax its citizens as a protest. Colonists were being taxed without their consent and without Representation!

Sons of Liberty

A secret society formed by colonists to oppose British policies, the King and Parliament. Led by Sam Adams. In Boston there were staged protests against British Laws. Promoted "No Taxation Without Representation!" (I need to be represented in government). They attacked customs officials and destroyed official stamps. Delegates from nine colonies met in New York at the Stamp Act Congress. They drafted a petition to the king and Parliament that the colonies could not be taxed except by their own local assemblies. They urged boycotts of British goods. Merchants, farmers, and artisans signed non-importation agreements. Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766.

It was a victory for the colonists, but at the same time Parliament passed the Declaratory Act in that said Parliament has the right to tax and make decisions for the British colonies in all cases.

American Revolution Notes