Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest which took place on December 16th, 1773. It was an act of direct action by American colonists in the Thirteen Colonies against the British government in regards to taxation, power, and governance.
Why Did the Boston Tea Party Occur?
- Taxation: The British government imposed taxation on the colonists without their consent, which the colonists viewed as illegal.
- Power: The colonists felt their rights as British citizens were not being respected or represented in the government.
- Governance: Colonists also had different political views than the government and disagreed with how it was managing the colonies.
What Happened at the Boston Tea Party?
- The event started when a group of men, dressed as Mohawk Indians, boarded the three British ships in Boston Harbor and threw the chests of tea overboard.
- An estimated 90,000 pounds of tea were destroyed in protest, with an estimated cost of over $1 million in today’s money.
- The British government was so appalled by this act that it imposed further taxes on the colonies, ultimately resulting in the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War.
What Was the Impact of the Boston Tea Party?
- The Boston Tea Party was a milestone in the American Revolution, as it represented the growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain.
- Regulation: Colonists began boycotting British imports and advocating for foreign trade and industry.
- Sovereignty: The event also helped to galvanize the colonists in their pursuit of independence from Britain.
- Political Freedoms: The Tea Party was a landmark event in the history of America, paving the way to increased autonomy and democratic freedoms.
Conclusion
The Boston Tea Party was a monumental event in the struggle for American independence. It helped to move the colonists in the direction of asserting their political freedoms, independence, and sovereignty, ultimately leading to the establishment of the United States of America.
