Formation of Virginian opposition to the Stamp Act of 1765

The article analyzes the reaction of the House of Burgesses of Virginia and the colonial public to the adoption of the Stamp Act of 1765. The subject of the study is specific measures of Virginian legislators that were aimed at forming protest sentiments towards the new tax. The object of the study is the political background of the adoption of the stamp tax and its connection with the desire of the British authorities to cover the national debt at the expense of new sources. Special attention is paid to the study of specific initiatives of Virginian legislators who managed to turn the campaign for the repeal of the Stamp Act into a protest of the broad masses of the colony's population. Special role is given to the consideration of some documentary sources that help to form a comprehensive picture of the development of opposition sentiments in Virginia in 1765. The study reflects the reaction of the Virginia Legislative Assembly to the adoption of the Stamp Act of 1765, which showed the presence of a certain parity between radically minded members of the assembly and supporters of a moderate and balanced reaction to changes in tax legislation. An important circumstance reflected in the study is the reaction to the adoption of the Stamp Act of 1765 by the wealthiest families of Virginia, which demonstrated their real control not only over the opposition, but also over the entire political process of the province as a whole.