Boston Tea Party
Edward Wallace
Background Information
The protest mainly started due to taxes on smuggled tea. Colonists were angered by the taxes because they feared the East India Company would put local merchants out of business. Before the event happened, the British repealed the taxes except one on imported tea as symbol of authority. The tax was put in effect during 1773, when the Parliament passed the Tea Act to help the company from bankruptcy. This allowed the company to sell tea to America for a low price, competing against the high priced smuggled tea.
Protest Information
On December 1773, 60 men disguised as Mohawk Indians boarded three ships in Boston Harbor and threw a total of 18,000 pounds ($1.7 million in today's money). 342 total chests were thrown overboard across 3 ships.
Boston Tea Party
Protest Effects
Due to the protest from the colonists, Parliament passed harsh acts, known as Intolerable Acts, as retaliation. The acts united opposition against the British and led to the First Continental Congress, a meeting between representatives from 12 American Colonies.
Boston Port Act - Outlawed use of Port of Boston by setting up blockade
Massachusetts Government Act - Repealed Massachusetts Charter of 1691 & centralized power to royal governor
Administration of Justice Act - Allowed royal governor to remove acquisition placed on royal official by patriot
Quartering Act - Required colonists to provide British soldiers with food or housing
Quebec Act - Removed British criminal law and allowed use of French civil law in Quebec
Assessment Question
The participants demonstrated their belief system through protest because they wanted to express their thoughts towards British rule and their independence as colonists. The colonists wanted to be treated as equal and have a fair government that listens to the people and their needs.