- Unfair taxation: The colonists argued that they were not represented in the British Parliament, and therefore, the Parliament had no right to tax them. They believed that taxation should be determined by their own elected representatives in the colonial assemblies.
- Lack of consent: The colonists felt that the Stamp Act was imposed without their consent or approval. They resented being taxed by a government that they did not have a direct say in.
- Financial burden: The Stamp Act placed a significant financial burden on the colonists. It required the use of stamps on a wide range of documents, including newspapers, legal documents, playing cards, and even dice. This increased the cost of conducting everyday activities and was seen as an unfair imposition on the colonists' economy.
- Principle of self-government: The Stamp Act challenged the colonists' principle of self-government and their rights as British subjects. They argued that the Act undermined their long-standing traditions of local autonomy and violated their rights as English citizens to consent to taxation.
- Economic Impact: The Stamp Act impacted colonial trade and commerce. The increased costs associated with the required stamps hindered economic activities and disrupted businesses, leading to economic hardships for merchants, artisans, and farmers alike.
- Fear of future taxation: The colonists were concerned that the Stamp Act was just the beginning of a series of unreasonable taxes that would be imposed on them in the future. They feared that their autonomy and economic well-being would be further eroded by similar measures if they did not resist.
- Influence of the Enlightenment: Enlightenment ideas about natural rights, individual liberties, and the consent of the governed played a crucial role in shaping the colonists' opposition to the Stamp Act. These ideas provided a philosophical framework for challenging British authority and asserting their rights as free citizens.
- Colonial unity: The Stamp Act helped unite the diverse colonies in a shared cause. It sparked coordinated protests, petitions, and acts of civil disobedience, which laid the foundation for the growing movement for American independence.