The Boston Tea Party (initially referred to by John Adams as " The destruction of the Tea in Boston ") - It had been a political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston, on December 16, 1773. The Boston - Tea Party was organized and carried out by a group of patriots led by Samuel Adams. The events that caused the Boston - Tea Party included: " taxation without representation ," - the 1767 Town shed Act , and the 1773 tea Act. The Boston Tea Party had taken place at Griffins Warf , it was at the location on December 16, 1773. It was estimated that hundreds had participated in the Boston tea Party , fear of punishment many people had joined! The Boston Tea - Party had ended with Samuel Adams and the " Sons of Liberty " bordered 3 ships in the Boston Harbor and had thrown 342 chests of tea over the ships .