What was the stamp act crisis?

The Stamp Act Crisis of 1765 was a pivotal moment in American colonial history, sparked by the British Parliament's imposition of a direct tax on printed materials, such as newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards, requiring them to carry a tax stamp. Colonists reacted with widespread protests, arguing that they could not be taxed without their consent, encapsulated in the phrase "no taxation without representation." This led to the formation of groups like the Sons of Liberty and increased unity among the colonies against British rule. Ultimately, the intense backlash resulted in the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766, but it heightened tensions that contributed to the American Revolution.