Pitt argued that Britain had "sovereign and supreme" authority over the colonies. How did he reconcile this with opposing the Stamp Act?
Pitt argued that Britain had "sovereign and supreme" authority over the colonies. How did he reconcile this with opposing the Stamp Act?
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a direct tax that was imposed by Britain on its Thirteen American colonies. It was unlike its previous taxes which were indirectly levied on goods and other materials. Under this Act, the stamped paper specifically produced in London was to be used for any document, newspaper, magazine, and even playing cards. Paper money produced in the colonies could not be used to buy these stamped papers, rather British money was required. The colonists did not want this tax, they felt it was extremely unnecessary. The Monarchy had claimed the tax was needed to pay for troops of British Nationality in the American colonies to protect them from any aftermath of the French and Indian War. But as the colonists had pointed out, there was no imminent danger to them. The British Government wanted to pay up their debts and all expenses incurred in the war, thus, they justified their taxations.
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