The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a protest by American colonists against Britain in December 1773. It was a response to the Tea Act of 1773, which taxed tea leaves without the permission of the colonies, and it played a significant role in the American Revolution.
Reaction of Parliament
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed what became known as the Coercive Acts in March 1774, which further tightened British control of the colonies. These laws included:
- The Boston Port Act: This act closed the port of Boston to all trade, severely damaging its economy.
- The Massachusetts Government Act: This act changed the Massachusetts government system, stripping it of its autonomy.
- The Administration of Justice Act: This act removed the right of accused colonial officials to a jury trial in Great Britain.
- The Quartering Act: This act required the colonists to provide housing and food for British soldiers.
The Coercive Acts are often referred to as the “Intolerable Acts” because of the impact they had on the colonies. They outraged both the colonists and the British public and sparked a wave of protest across the colonies. This led to the convening of the First Continental Congress in September 1774, which further unified the colonies against British rule.
