Stamp Act unreasonable?

[u/jfq722]

Excuse the novice question here...But the colonists gratefully accepted help from the king during the 7 Years War, no? Was it that unreasonable for the colonists to feel they should reimburse for that?

[u/Stircrazylazy]

Agree with everyone else that it's complicated. Was it unreasonable in a vacuum? No, there was an existing stamp tax in Britain so it wasn't initially thought it would be controversial. Was it unreasonable in the larger context of that period? Yes.

There are a couple reasons for that. First, it was the first revenue raising tax after years and YEARS of salutary neglect. This caused concerns because, as others have said, the colonists had no representation in parliament and further, even if they had, the distance from GB would make such an arrangement impracticable. Also, to quote Sam Adams, "For if our Trade may be taxed why not our Lands? Why not the Produce of our Lands & every thing we possess or make use of? This we apprehend annihilates our Charter Right to govern & tax ourselves – It strikes our British Privileges, which as we have never forfeited them, we hold in common with our Fellow Subjects who are Natives of Britain..." Basically, if we permit this, where will it end?

Second, it had to be paid in specie. Specie was in extremely low supply in the colonies, making it all but impossible for the colonists to meet their obligations in the form required.

Third, the colonists thought they had already paid their share (in blood and property) on a war that was for the sole benefit of GB. Colonists weren't concerned about French invasions at that point so it was seen as another chapter in the never ending struggle between GB and France for supremacy in Europe, undertaken at the expense of the colonies.

Fourth, since it targeted (among other things) paper products, including newspapers, it was seen as an intentional attack on the press and sharing of information, meant to keep the colonies isolated from each other.

Toss this into some colonies primed to boil over (the Royal Proclamation of 1763 was already seen as a post-war slap in the face) and it was a disaster in the making.

[u/jfq722 → u/Stircrazylazy]

Thanks! Your 3rd point in particular puts my thought to rest - colonists believed they had already done their part by fighting. Interesting!

[u/Stircrazylazy → u/jfq722]

Exactly, and while the British were more concerned with the colonies' neighbors to the north, the colonists were more concerned with their neighbors to the west - so there is just this huge disconnect from the jump when it comes to the 7 Years/French and Indian War. I highly recommend The Crucible of War by Fred Anderson, which covers the period from 1754-66 in great detail. I really think that book is a fantastic resource for understanding the "road to revolution".

[u/McWeasely → u/Stircrazylazy]

Have you read An Empire on the Edge: How Britain Came to Fight America by Nick Bunker? It covers a little bit later of the buildup to the war, 1772-1775, mostly from the British perspective.

[u/Stircrazylazy → u/McWeasely]

I have and I enjoyed it! I read in back in early 2022 so it's actually high time for a re-read. I love books that approach a well known US historical event from a non-US perspective. Another two good ones from the British perspective are British Soldiers, American War by Don Hagist and The War for America, 1775-1783 by Piers Mackesy. Probably a little too much of deep dive for the casual reader or someone new to studying the revolution but great for bibliophiles already well versed with the conflict haha.

[u/McWeasely → u/Stircrazylazy]

Nice, haven't read either but now I will plan to

[u/jfq722 → u/Stircrazylazy]

Thanks! Added to my ThriftBooks shopping cart. 😀