Framed Sons of Liberty Broadside 1765

This Sons of Liberty Broadside from December 17, 1765, is historically significant as it reflects the colonial resistance to the Stamp Act imposed by the British Parliament. The British Parliament enacted the Stamp Act in March 1765 to raise revenue from the American colonies. The Act required colonists to purchase and use stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, pamphlets, and playing cards. This taxation outraged the colonists, as they had no representation in Parliament ("No taxation without representation"). This broadside specifically references the "True-born Sons of Liberty," a group of American patriots formed to resist British policies. The Sons of Liberty were instrumental in organizing protests, enforcing boycotts, and intimidating British officials (such as stamp distributors) to prevent the implementation of the Act. Andrew Oliver, referenced in the broadside, was the Stamp Distributor for Massachusetts Bay Colony. He became a key target of the Sons of Liberty's resistance. Public protests, including the destruction of his property and effigies of him being hanged on the Liberty Tree in Boston, forced Oliver to resign. This broadside invites colonists to witness Oliver's formal resignation under oath, symbolizing a major victory for the Sons of Liberty and colonial resistance. This event marked a turning point in the colonial opposition to British taxation. The resignation of Andrew Oliver showed that colonial protests could achieve tangible results.