The Colonists of the 13 colonies had a tradition of self-governing during the 1600's and 1700's. But by passing the Stamp Act in 1765, without colonial legislation, Parliament totally ignored the fact that the colonists were self-governing. The colonists felt that England was making the colonists pay England's debt. And this led the colonists to believe that becoming independent from Britain was vital and that the colonists had to revolt.