Which of the following best explains why Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766?
A. Parliament agreed with the American colonists that the act was unfair.
B. Colonial legislators were threatening to impose their own taxes.
C. Colonists’ boycotts of British goods were hurting British trade.
D. The British passed the Declaratory Act, which replaced it with a heavier tax.
Answer (3)
Colonists in response to the Stamp Act and other taxation measures imposed by the British Government decided to boycott British goods which had a significant impact on the British economy. Therefore Parliament agree to repeal the Stamp Act in 1766 because Colonists' boycotts of British goods were hurting British trade and the economy more broadly.
The correct option is c. The correct explanation for why Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 is that colonists boycotts of British goods were hurting British trade.
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a direct tax imposed by the British Parliament on the colonies in America, requiring that many printed materials in the colonies be produced on stamped paper produced in London, carrying an embossed revenue stamp. The purpose of the tax was to help pay for troops stationed in North America after the British victory in the Seven Years' War. However, the act was met with widespread protest in the colonies.
The repeal of the Stamp Act can be attributed to several factors:
Colonial opposition: The Stamp Act was met with fierce opposition from the colonists, who argued that it violated their rights as Englishmen to be taxed without their consent, as expressed by the slogan No taxation without representation.
Economic impact: The boycotts and non-importation agreements implemented by the colonists effectively reduced the demand for British goods. This economic pressure was felt by British merchants and manufacturers, who began to suffer financial losses due to the decrease in trade with the colonies.
Political pressure: The economic hardship faced by British businesses was conveyed to Parliament by British merchants, who petitioned for the repeal of the Stamp Act. The loss of revenue and potential for further colonial unrest led Parliament to reconsider the tax.
The role of Benjamin Franklin: During his testimony before the House of Commons in February 1766, Benjamin Franklin effectively highlighted the grievances of the colonists and the potential for rebellion if the Stamp Act was not repealed.
The Declaratory Act: While the Stamp Act was repealed, Parliament also passed the Declaratory Act in 1766, which asserted its authority to legislate for the colonies in all cases whatsoever. This act was a statement of principle rather than a new tax, and it set the stage for future conflicts between Britain and its American colonies.
In summary, the primary reason for the repeal of the Stamp Act was the significant impact of the colonists' boycotts on British trade, which exerted substantial economic and political pressure on Parliament to act. The other options provided do not accurately reflect the historical context and reasons behind the repeal of the Stamp Act.
The complete question is- Which of the following best explains why Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766?
a. Parliament agreed with the American colonists that the act was unfair.
b. Colonial legislators were threatening to impose their own taxes.
c. Colonists’ boycotts of British goods were hurting British trade.
d. The British passed the Declaratory Act, which replaced it with a heavier tax.
Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 primarily due to the economic impact of colonists' boycotts of British goods, which were harming British trade. The repeal was also a reaction to the pressure from British merchants who were affected by these boycotts. On the same day, Parliament asserted its authority over the colonies through the Declaratory Act.
;
