Tea Destruction in the Colonies
The Boston Tea Party of 1773 stands out in American history as an iconic symbol of the American Revolution. In this event, a group of colonists dumped 342 chests of British East India Company tea into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act of 1773. But this was not the only destruction of tea that occurred during the revolution.
Tea Tax Cuts
The Tea Act of 1773 was passed by the British Parliament to reduce the costs of tea by eliminating taxes in the American Colonies. On the surface this appears to be a good thing for the colonies, but in reality, the act was an attempt to regain control of the American markets by giving the British East India Company a monopoly on the sale of tea in the colonies. This angered the colonists and was an important spark that led to the American Revolution.
Destruction of Tea Across the Colonies
The destruction of tea in the colonies was not limited to the Boston Tea Party. Colonists in other colonies staged similar tea destruction events, such as:
- Philadelphia Tea Party – December 16, 1773. Destroying 22,000 lbs of tea.
- Greenport Tea Party – December 22, 1773. Destroying 30,500 lbs of tea.
- Edenton Tea Party – October 25, 1774. Destroying an unknown amount of tea.
- Carolina Tea Party – December 3, 1774. Destroying an unknown amount of tea.
All in all, it is estimated that over 92,000 pounds of tea were destroyed in the American colonies during the Revolutionary War. This tea destruction proved effective in driving home a powerful message of rebellion and dissent in the colonies.
