Intended to help support the British regiments left to defend the American colonies after the French and Indian War, Parliament passed the Stamp Act tax on March 22, 1765. Stamps, which proved the tax was paid, were to be applied to all legal documents, newspapers, and pamphlets, as well as playing cards and dice. Many Americans thought the tax was unfair and opposed it. Protests broke out in almost every colony, sometimes violently targeting stamp collectors and other government officials. The protests were successful and the Stamp Act was repealed on March 11, 1766, never having taken full effect in the American colonies.