ther various taxations aroused a spirit of revolution in America. One year before the Stamp Act, the Sugar Act of 1764 lowered the duty on molasses and raised the duty on sugar. While this act was designed to raise money, the majority of the Americans did not view it as any different than traditional taxations. Another set of taxes, known as the Townshend Duties, taxed goods imported to the colonies from England. Townshend judged this to be more practical because the duty was on “external” goods (those imported to the country) rather than “internal” goods, which the Stamp Act had attempted to address. However, the already distraught and rebellious American public would not allow it. Soon after the Townshend Duties, the colonial governments were urged by the Massachusetts Assembly to revolt and stand up against every tax, external or internal, imposed by Parliament. Eventually, as a result of all the taxes and regulations, the expression “no taxation without representation” emerged. The Americans were clear and concise on what they wanted: Whether the tax be internal or external, whether it be designed to raise revenue or control trade, it could not exist without the consent of the colonists who were being taxed. The final test of will came when the British government passed the Tea Act of 1773. This act effectively cut out the middleman, or colonial merchant, in the tea trade between Britain and America. This infuriated the colonial merchants, because a powerful monopoly had taken away their ability to trade in the valuable tea. Not only did the economic results of the Tea Act anger the merchants, but also the idea of taxation without representation once again sprang to the forefront of American minds. The complete boycott of tea by Americans ensued. This boycott was extremely important, because it unified the colonies in a mass popular protest. It is also worth noting that American women became activ...
