The Stamp Act "Before the actual war of the Revolution could begin, there had to be a revolution 'in the minds and hearts of the people' as John Adams put it. One of the most important factors in this change of heart was an innocent-looking document which received the assent of George III 'by commission' on March 22, 1765. It was known as the Stamp Act. That it was also to be a piece of political dynamite was soon evident"(The American Heritage History of the American Revolution). The Stamp Act was a very controversial tax put on the colonies in 1765. After Britain needed funds to pay off their debts from the French