<P> The overall effect of these protests was to both anger and unite the American people like never before . Opposition to the Act inspired both political and constitutional forms of literature throughout the colonies, strengthened the colonial political perception and involvement, and created new forms of organized resistance . These organized groups quickly learned that they could force royal officials to resign by employing violent measures and threats . </P> <P> The main issue was constitutional rights of Englishmen, so the French in Quebec did not react . Some English - speaking merchants were opposed, but were in a fairly small minority . The Quebec Gazette ceased publication until the act was repealed, apparently over the unwillingness to use stamped paper . In neighboring Nova Scotia a number of former New England residents objected, but recent British immigrants and London - oriented business interests based in Halifax, the provincial capital were more influential . The only major public protest was the hanging in effigy of the stamp distributor and Lord Bute . The act was implemented in both provinces, but Nova Scotia's stamp distributor resigned in January 1766, beset by ungrounded fears for his safety . Authorities there were ordered to allow ships bearing unstamped papers to enter its ports, and business continued unabated after the distributors ran out of stamps . The Act occasioned some protests in Newfoundland, and the drafting of petitions opposing not only the Stamp Act, but the existence of the customhouse at St. John's, based on legislation dating back to the reign of Edward VI forbidding any sort of duties on the importation of goods related to its fisheries . </P> <P> Violent protests were few in the Caribbean colonies . Political opposition was expressed in a number of colonies, including Barbados and Antigua, and by absentee landowners living in Britain . The worst political violence took place on St. Kitts and Nevis . Riots took place on October 31, 1765, and again on November 5, targeting the homes and offices of stamp distributors; the number of participants suggests that the percentage of St. Kitts' white population involved matched that of Bostonian involvement in its riots . The delivery of stamps to St. Kitts was successfully blocked, and they were never used there . Montserrat and Antigua also succeeded in avoiding the use of stamps; some correspondents thought that rioting was prevented in Antigua only by the large troop presence . Despite vocal political opposition, Barbados used the stamps, to the pleasure of King George . In Jamaica there was also vocal opposition, which included threats of violence . There was much evasion of the stamps, and ships arriving without stamped papers were allowed to enter port . Despite this, Jamaica produced more stamp revenue (£ 2,000) than any other colony . </P> <P> It was during this time of street demonstrations that locally organized groups started to merge into an inter-colonial organization of a type not previously seen in the colonies . The term "sons of liberty" had been used in a generic fashion well before 1765, but it was only around February 1766 that its influence extended throughout the colonies as an organized group using the formal name "Sons of Liberty", leading to a pattern for future resistance to the British that carried the colonies towards 1776 . Historian John C. Miller noted that the name was adopted as a result of Barre's use of the term in his February 1765 speech . </P>

Which of the following was a major reason that the colonist oppose the stamp act