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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Prologue: The French and Indian War (1754-1763)

After decades of conflict, British forces captured the citadel of Quebec defeating France in the struggle for control of North America.


Britain and France fought several North American wars. This image presents a 1745 incident.
Britain and France fought several North American wars. This image presents a 1745 incident.  
- Archives Anglaise
Merchant John Rowe's bucket was used in fighting the 1760 Boston fire. BosTON FmE H1sTORJCAL Soc1ETY
Merchant John Rowe's bucket was used in fighting the 1760 Boston fire.  
- Boston Historical Society

Boston in Decline
The timing of the Stamp Act was disastrous for Boston. After a devastating fire in 1760, and a small pox epidemic, many were already fleeing the town. Wartime spending had enriched some merchants (and provided some jobs). That economic stimulus came to an abrupt end. In economically depressed Boston, opposition to the Stamp Act was especially loud.

The Stamp Act
 The "French and Indian War" had been costly. Deeply in debt, Parliament imposed new revenue measures on the colonies. In 1765, the Stamp Act was passed requiring a revenue stamp on newspapers, wills, deeds, and other public documents.

King George III was twenty-six years old at the time of the Stamp Act. Although not an absolute monarch, the inexperienced king wielded considerable power. NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY LONDON
King George III was twenty-six years old at the time of the Stamp Act. Although not an absolute monarch, the inexperienced king wielded considerable power.
- National Portrait Gallery London
Stamp Act protests. MARCHAND ARCHIVE
Stamp Act protests.
Marchand Archive

Taking the Stage
 Because they lacked seats in parliament, many in the colonies famously protested "taxation without ~ representation." Samuel Adams, James Otis, and Hancock emerged as leaders.

This image, in the window of a lower Washington Street building, marks the site of the Liberty Tree.
Stamp Act protests.
- Marchand Archive

Under the Liberty Tree
The "Sons of Liberty" organized theatrical, and sometimes violent, protests. There was widespread rejoicing in 1766 when repeal of the Stamp Tax was announced. However it was soon followed by the "Declaratory Act," in which parliament claimed the right to pass legislation for the colonies "on any matter whatsoever."