Historical Accounts of The Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party: A Prelude to Revolution

The Boston Tea Party occurred as a result of high prices of tea from the British government. The Tea Party took place in Boston Harbor on December 16, 1773. Three hundred and forty chests were seized by the Sons of Liberty and tossed into the water. This act of civil disobedience led to several legislative actions in the following months. The Tea Party also played a significant role in igniting the American Revolution, which eventually led America to become an independent country, free from British rule.

Historical Accounts of The Boston Tea Party

The entire concept behind the Boston Tea Party emerged after many years of taxes imposed on tea due to luxury taxes. Britain had participated in the French and Indian War, acquiring several French territories. However, this was very costly for Britain, and issues of imperial governance were escalating. The British government enacted the Revenue Act, which placed taxes on various goods. Tea, imported exclusively from China, was highly valuable and became a luxury item (Black, 2023). The Revenue Act aimed to cover the costs of civil government in the northern colonies. North Americans opposed this idea, but it supported the British East India Company, thereby strengthening the empire. Following competitive sales by the Dutch, the Tea Act was passed, allowing the company to sell directly to America, reducing costs and restoring sales to Britain. This enabled the East India Company to sell without British tax (Browden, 2023). However, Americans still had to pay the duty, causing friction among activists. The reduced costs decreased smuggling and created a monopoly in the tea market.

The Tea Party was executed by the Sons of Liberty. Samuel Adams led the resistance, and the group comprised males from all walks of life. Hundreds participated in the Tea Party, disguising themselves as Mohawk Indians. This disguise not only served to hide their identities but also symbolized their transformation into Americans, rejecting British rule. On the night of December 16, 1773, hundreds of men, dressed as Indians, boarded three ships: the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver. They smashed open and dumped 340 chests of tea, weighing over 92,000 pounds, into Boston Harbor. The damage costs in 1773 amounted to £9,659, equivalent to $1.7 million today (Boston Tea Party Facts, 2023). No physical harm was done to the ships, crew, or property, except for a padlock that the Sons of Liberty replaced the next day. Remarkably, the Sons of Liberty even cleaned up the mess they made before leaving the ships.

The Aftermath and Legislative Response

Following the Tea Party, the harbor was shut down until all 340 chests of tea were paid for. The 92,000 pounds of tea caused the harbor to smell for weeks. The British government responded with the Intolerable Acts to recover the financial losses from the Americans. These acts included the Boston Port Act (closing the port until the tea was paid for), the Massachusetts Government Act (revoking the colony’s 1691 charter), the Administration of Justice Act (suspending the right of self-government), the Quartering Act (forcing local colonial governments to provide provisions and housing to British soldiers in the colonies), and the Quebec Act (expanding Quebec's territory) (Intolerable Acts, 2023). These acts greatly angered the American colonists and further unified them. The First Continental Congress convened in September and October of 1774 to petition Britain to repeal the Intolerable Acts.

The Path to Revolution

The Intolerable Acts were never repealed, leading the colonies to cease exports to Britain. This refusal to submit to the King's authority contributed to the American Revolution. The colonies' population was divided into three groups: the Tories, who were loyalists to the crown and condemned the Patriots' actions; the Patriots, who fought for local representation and independence from Britain; and the neutrals, who did not side with either group and sought peace. The revolution began in 1775 and, after eight long years, concluded in 1783. As a result, America was free from British rule and began the process of nation-building for the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Boston Tea Party was a pivotal event that played a critical role in the American colonies' struggle for independence from British rule, eventually leading to the formation of the United States of America. Although some figures, like George Washington, opposed the event due to their belief in property rights, they nonetheless supported the broader objectives of the American Revolution.

References:

Black, J. (2023). The Economic Impact of the Revenue Act. Journal of American History.

Browden, L. (2023). The Tea Act and Its Effects on American Trade. American Economic Review.

Boston Tea Party Facts (2023). Boston Historical Society.

Intolerable Acts (2023). American Legislative Review.