The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was an important event in American history that took place on December 16, 1773, in the then- British-ruled city of Boston, Massachusetts. This event was a revolutionary protest by American colonists against the British Monarchy and a rallying cry for American independence.
Cause of the Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was sparked by the passing of the Tea Act by the British Parliament in 1773. The Tea Act granted the British East India Company, a British trading company, monopoly privileges over tea export and import in America. This meant that the company could sell tea directly to the colonies, bypassing the colonial merchants who normally handled the tea trade.
Events of the Boston Tea Party
The colonists of Boston reacted with much opposition to the Tea Act. On December 16, 1773, in a meeting of the Sons of Liberty formed by patriot Samuel Adams, it was decided to take action. In this meeting, the colonists agreed to dump the East India Company’s tea off the Boston Harbor.
The participants of the Tea Party included a group of people called the “Mohawks”, who were disguised to resemble Native Americans. This group of men made their way to three British cargo ships and dumped all the tea they contained. It is estimated that they emptied over forty-two thousand pounds of tea costing approximately £10,000 in today’s currency.
The Impact of the Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a major turning point in the American Revolution. In response to this act of civil disobedience, the British government imposed strict regulations on the colonies, known as the Intolerable Acts. These acts closed the port of Boston until the destroyed tea was repaid and gave the British government more control over the colonies.
The acts sparked a revolution in the colonies, as many more people began to fight for independence. The 13 colonies formed a union and declared an official break from England. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Conclusion
The Boston Tea Party was an important event in American history. It was a symbol of revolution and revolt against the British rule, and a rallying cry for the 13 colonies to unite and fight for their freedom from Britain. This event led to the official separation of the colonies from England and the formation of the United States of America.
Key Takeaways
- The Boston Tea Party was an important event in American history which took place in 1773 in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Cause of the Boston Tea Party was the passing of the Tea Act by the British Parliament which granted the British East India Company monopoly privileges over tea export and import in America.
- Events of the Boston Tea Party included a group of men, called the “Mohawks”, disguised to resemble Native Americans, where they dumped the East India Company’s tea off the Boston Harbor.
- Impact of the Boston Tea Party was a major turning point in the American Revolution and it led to the official separation of the colonies from England and the formation of the United States of America.
