The Boston Tea Party and British Response
The Boston Tea Party:
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 16th, 1773. The protesters, some disguised as American Indians, boarded three merchant ships and threw the tea they were carrying into Boston Harbor. The destruction of the tea was in response to the Tea Act of 1773 and the British government’s refusal to repeal it, as well as its imposition of taxation without representation.
British Response:
The British responded to the destruction of the tea with a number of punitive measures, referred to as “The Intolerable Acts.” These included closing Boston Harbor until the tea had been repaid, the Quartering Act which required colonists to house British soldiers, and the dissolution of the Massachusetts Assembly.
The British also implemented a military presence in Massachusetts with 4,000 troops. This led to a greater divide between the colonists and British, as well as an increasingly hostile attitude against Great Britain.
The Boston Tea Party also had a severe impact on Britain’s economy, as the destruction of the tea added up to £1,600,000 in today’s money.
The Impact of the Boston Tea Party:
The impact of the Boston Tea Party had a lasting effect both in the US and Britain. It marked the beginning of the American Revolution and was seen as a rallying cry for the colonists. It demonstrated the colonists’ commitment to protesting against British rule and taxation without representation. The punitive measures enacted by the British only served to increase tension and fuel the move toward independence.
Key Takeaways:
- The Boston Tea Party, was a political protest carried out by the Sons of Liberty.
- The British responded with a range of punitive measures, known as the “Intolerable Acts.”
- The Boston Tea Party led to an increased divide between Britain and the colonies, and ultimately, the American Revolution.
