Stamp duties existed in Britain since 1689. They were used in largely the same way: to fund wars. (Source)

The French and Indian War was so named because those were the enemies of the English (and their Native American allies). It wasn't just to confuse you into thinking it was a war between the French and the Native Americans. (Source)

The Stamp Act resulted in the creation of the Sons of Liberty. That Patriot group included folks like Patrick Henry, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. (Source)

George Washington—yes, that George Washington—was there when the Seven Years War started in 1754. He watched as his Iroquois ally Tanaghrisson murdered French captive Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. That act started the entire war. (Source)

Connecticut governor Thomas Fitch more or less approved of the Stamp Act before it was enacted. He wasn't crazy about it, but thought the crown did have a right to tax the colonies. His face was probably pretty red during the fallout. (Source)