The Boston Tea Party happened on December 16, 1773. It was an important moment in American history that helped spark the desire for change in the colonies. This event showed people’s anger towards British taxes and rules that they felt were unfair.

Taxes and Representation

• People in the colonies had to pay many taxes, like the Stamp Act in 1765 and the Townshend Acts in 1767. These taxes were used to make money for Britain without asking the colonists.
• Colonists began saying, "No taxation without representation." This meant they were unhappy about being taxed when they had no one to speak for them in the British Parliament.

The Tea Act

• The Tea Act of 1773 was created to help the British East India Company, which was having money problems. This law let the company sell tea directly to the colonies, making it harder for local tea sellers.
• Even though some colonists might benefit, many saw this as another unfair tax and felt it was wrong.

The Boston Tea Party

• On the night of the Boston Tea Party, members of the Sons of Liberty, like Samuel Adams, dressed up as Mohawk Indians so they wouldn't be recognized.
• Around 342 chests of tea, worth about $1 million today, were dumped into Boston Harbor. This was a major act of protest against British rule.

British Reaction: The Intolerable Acts

• In response, the British government created the Coercive Acts, known later as the Intolerable Acts, in 1774. These laws included:
  • The Boston Port Act: This closed the Boston port until the tea damage was paid for.
  • The Massachusetts Government Act: This took away the colony's self-government and limited town meetings.
  • The Quartering Act: This forced colonists to let British soldiers live in their homes.

Bringing the Colonies Together

• The Boston Tea Party brought the colonies closer. Other colonies began to support Massachusetts. Meetings like the First Continental Congress in September 1774 were started, helping the colonies work together against British control.

These events increased the tension between Britain and the colonies, which led to the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775. The Boston Tea Party still stands as a powerful symbol of American resistance and the struggle for freedom.