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Was the Stamp Act Fair?
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Author: Abbey Campbell, Logan Elementary & Shannon Halpin, Edmondson Heights Elementary, Baltimore County Public Schools
Grade Level: Elementary (3-4-5)
Duration: 1-2 periods
Overview:

For colonial Americans, the first step toward independence from Britain was realizing that their common interests were more important to them than the interests of the British Empire. After the expensive French and Indian War, Britain imposed new taxes like the Stamp Act (1765), while at the same time barring the Americans from conducting their own trade with the West Indies. The result was that the colonists had neither gold nor silver with which to pay Parliament's taxes. Benjamin Franklin tried to explain the situation to Parliament, to no avail, and the result was violent mob action against British officials in the colonies. This lesson introduces students to the social and economic forces that pushed Americans toward Revolution.

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