The Boston Tea Party and the Tea Tax
In 1773, The Boston Tea Party sparked an uprising against British taxation in America with the Bostonians throwing tea off of three ships into the harbor. The cause of this action was due to the Tea Act of 1773, an act of taxation passed by the British Parliament that levied a heavy tax on tea imported by American colonists.
Impact of the Tea Tax
The Tea Tax had a drastic effect on the American colonists as it pushed prices of tea up significantly. This had a great effect on the colonial tea trade, as they were not able to pay the hefty tax and compete with the tea imports from the East India Company. As a result of the tax, tea went from being a common beverage to a luxury product, affecting the economy of the colonies and providing the impetus for leading up to the revolution of 1776.
The Effects of the Tea Tax
The Tea tax of 1773 had a wide-reaching effect on America and the Bostonians, here are some of the effects that the tax had:
- Financial Impact: The British were able to collect a lot of money from the colonies in customs duties, which put a strain on the already poor colonial economy.
- Political Impact: The Tea Tax was to Americans, a symbol of British tyranny, which pushed further the already strained relationship of the American colonists and the British.
- Social Impact: The Tea Tax pushed the divide between Britain and America even further, making the Boston Tea Party an act of defiance that resulted in an entire continent of people beginning to think of themselves as united.
How Much Was the Tea Tax?
At the time the Tea Tax was enacted, the tax on one pound of tea was an astonishing 12 shillings (or 54 cents) per pound, more than double the cost without the tax. This led to fury amongst the colonists and the high cost of tea helped orchestrate the events of the Boston Tea Party.
The Tea Tax was an integral part of the tension between the British and American colonists in the late 18th century which eventually led to the revolution of 1776. The events of the Boston Tea Party and its subsequent tax would result in a nation’s independence.
Conclusion
The Tea Tax of 1773 served as an impetus for the American Revolution, as the tax imposed upon merchants affected the economy of the colonies, causing them to unite in common cause against the British. This was a major factor in the separation of Britain and America and served as a reminder of the power of citizens in shaping the future.
