Why Did Americas Boycott British Tea

Why did Americans boycott British tea

The Americans boycotted British tea as a form of protest. This is the obvious. What takes a little thought is what lead them to such measure. The reason for this is that Britain had pushed its luck with the patience of the American people. Since the colonist first arrived in America, Britain has been treating the people as sub citizen. Though they Boston Tea Party was said to be over the tax on tea, I believe that it was not just the tea. The colonists had to pay taxes on all sorts of things that they people back in the mother country did not have to pay. I feel that the Boston Tea Party was the result of the build up of all the stress put on the colonist.

There were many stresses which the colonists where put under. Like a previously stated, They had to pay taxes on all sorts of goods. These goods ranged everywhere from tea leaves, to stamps, to sugar. It would have not been so bad if the tax was proportional the amount that the colonists could afford. This was not the case though. The colonist where for the most part not the most wealthy of people. Most made a modest amount through a trade which was also there main mode of sustenance. This would include fishing, farming, and other such trades. So basically, England was taking the Americans for all they were worth.

Another thing that I'm sure perturbed the colonists what that fact that they were selling raw goods to England, such as wood, and then had the materials processed and sold back to them in the form of a chair of such but for a much higher price. The colonist would make money from the goods they sold but England ended up with the money back and then some. As anyone can deduct, if this process continues there is bound to be conflict.

All this and much more is what lead to the Boston Tea Party. Its interesting that such a seemingly localized act could actually be the medium for and omnium-gatherum