Boston Tea Party

Ezra T. Khuzadi

Wednesday 9:20 a.m. Class

Mrs. Hodgins

November 11, 2015

Boston Tea Party

               The Boston Tea Party occurred as a outburst of building anger over the “tyrannical” actions and laws the British Parliament forced upon the American colonies.  Before the Tea Act was passed, the Townshend Act was passed by British Parliament imposing taxes due to the government and showing Parliament's power over several of the colonies.  When that happened, much anger and storm was raised that the act was eventually repealed.  Mercilessly, the onslaught of many laws and taxes continued, however, and the situation deteriorated when the Tea Act was passed in 1773.  Saving the dying East India Company, the British by lowered its tea tax, creating a virtual monopoly for the company on American tea trade.  It even allowed the East India Company to undercut tea smuggled into the colonies by Dutch traders.  This “taxation without representation” infuriated many colonists.  Coincidentally, three ships were moored in the Boston harbor when the legislation was passed named the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver who all held tea from England.  The colonists demanded it be sent back.  It was denied.  Chaos ensued.  Because of Parliament's constant taxes and tightening restrictions, colonists full of anger were ready to take action.

               Although other colonies were boycotted tea to cut out Britain, Boston's merchants refused to take any action and stood by British law.  The colonists wanted to punish the British somehow for the inexcusable tax!  Pushing for boycotting like at Charleston, New York, and Philadelphia, the patriots desperately tried to get Boston to stop the trade.  When this proved fruitless, the Sons of Liberty decided to take action.  On December 16, 1773 around midnight, Samuel Adams and many other patriots boarded the three ships dressed as Indians.  With a massive crowd cheering with anger and support, the angry patriots tossed the expensive tea overboard.  Three hundred and forty-two crates were destroyed that night.  The tea was worth $18000.  Ultimately, this was a turning point, and the first event that led up to the Revolutionary war.  Because of the angry and hostile actions of the colonists who held the Tea Party, the British decided to retaliate and soon the Intolerable Acts were passed.