N: The Boston Tea Party

Definition of the Boston Tea Party (A COLONIAL Action)

The Boston Tea Party occurred on December 16, 1773. The Boston Tea Party was a direct protest by colonists in Boston against the Tea Tax that had been imposed by the British government. Boston patriots, dressed as Mohawk Indians, raided three British ships in Boston harbor and dumped 342 containers of tea into the harbor. The Boston Tea Party arose from the resentment of Boston colonists towards the British which had been fuelled by protest activities by patriots in the Sons of Liberty organization.

Events leading to the Boston Tea Party

The events leading to the Boston Tea Party started in September and October 1773 when 7 ships carrying East India Company tea were sent to the American colonies. The colonists learned the details of the cargo whilst the ships were en route, and opposition began to mount. The Committees of Correspondence rallied opposition amongst the colonists. Details of the ships and their cargos of tea were well publicized and protests and actions against the British were agreed.

The tax on the tea had to be paid the moment the tea was unloaded. An armed guard of patriots was posted at the wharf to prevent the cargo coming ashore. The absolute deadline for payment of the Tea Tax was 20 days after the arrival of the cargo. If the tax was not paid within the 20 days the cargo would be seized by authorities. For the 20 days following the arrival of the Dartmouth, meetings occurred on a daily basis throughout Boston to discuss what was to be done about the shipments of “detested tea”. Samuel Adams called a town meeting in response to the “tea crisis” and declared anyone who aids or abets the “unloading receiving or vending the tea is an enemy to America!”

What happened at the Boston Tea Party?

The three groups, many disguised as Mohawk Indians made their way to Griffin's Wharf where the three ships were berthed. They were not quiet, they were excited and there were lots of them. A large mob attended the Boston Tea Party and there was little interference and no violence occurred. Many accounts of the Boston Tea Party mention that “war whoops” were heard from the participants throughout the evening.

Over 45 tons of cargo went into the water the night of the Boston Tea Party. The patriots taking part in the Boston Tea Party did not vandalize the ships, nor did they steal any of the cargo for personal consumption. The next day some of the participants returned to Griffin's Wharf and, seeing some of the tea still floating on top of the water, they approached it in small boats and destroyed what remained by hitting it with their oars.

The Effects of the Boston Tea Party - What happened after the Boston Tea Party?

• • Parliament decided to punish the town of Boston as a whole

    • The British Parliament ordered the Royal Navy to blockade Boston Harbor

    • British army regiments were sent to enforce the closure of the harbor

    • The blockade prevented supplies from entering the Harbor and prevented Massachusetts merchants from selling their goods

  • These measures that followed the Boston Tea Party were implemented under the 1774 Coercive Acts (aka Intolerable Acts) which consisted of the Boston Port Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, the Quartering Act and the Quebec Act.

  • American colonists responded with protests and coordinated resistance by convening the First Continental Congress in September and October of 1774 to petition Britain to repeal the Intolerable Acts.