American Revolution: The Boston Tea Party

Questions and Answers

Why did the American colonists feel upset in 1773?

Because they wanted to start a war with Britain

Because they didn't like the taste of tea

Because the British government taxed their tea unfairly (correct)

Because they didn't have enough money to buy tea

What was the main reason behind the Boston Tea Party?

To show support for the British government

To start a fight with the British soldiers

To steal tea from the ships

To protest the British tax on tea (correct)

What was the outcome of the growing tension between Britain and America?

The American colonists paid the tea tax quietly

The American colonists started a war with France

The British government lowered the tea tax

The Revolutionary War began in 1775 (correct)

What is a tax, according to the content?

Money citizens pay to the government to pay its bills Signup and view all the answers

Why did the British government give the British East India Company special privileges?

To make the British East India Company more profitable Signup and view all the answers

What did the colonists feel they lacked in the British government?

A voice in the British government Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the group of colonists that planned the Boston Tea Party?

The Sons of Liberty Signup and view all the answers

What was the main action taken by the men dressed as Mohawk Indians on December 16th, 1773?

They dumped 340 chests of tea into the water. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the British government create laws to punish the colonists?

To make the colonists pay for the destroyed tea. Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of closing the port in Boston?

It caused a financial hardship for many people living in Boston. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the tension between the Americans and the British?

The tension exploded into the Revolutionary War. Signup and view all the answers

How long after the Boston Tea Party did the Revolutionary War start?

Fewer than two years. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main motivation of the Americans after the Boston Tea Party?

To gain independence from Britain. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the men dress up as Mohawk Indians during the Boston Tea Party?

To disguise themselves and avoid detection. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Boston Tea Party?

It increased the tension between the colonies and Britain, leading to the Revolutionary War. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Boston Tea Party

American colonists felt unfairly treated by the British government, which led to the Boston Tea Party in 1773.
The British government imposed a tax on tea, which the colonists felt was unfair because they had no voice in the government.
The tax was seen as "taxation without representation".

Background

Before the Revolutionary War, America was ruled by Britain and colonists paid taxes to Britain.
Colonists understood that some taxes were necessary, but felt the tea tax was unfair.
The British government gave the British East India Company special selling privileges, which hurt American merchants.

The Raid

On December 16th, 1773, a group of angry colonists, calling themselves the Sons of Liberty, dressed up as Mohawk Indians and snuck onto three British-controlled cargo ships in Boston Harbor.
They grabbed about 340 chests full of tea and dumped them into the water to protest the tea tax.

Consequences

The British government was angered by the act and created laws to punish the colonists.
These laws made life in Boston hard and even closed the port where ships normally loaded and unloaded cargo.
Closing the port created a financial hardship for many people living in Boston.

Significance

The Boston Tea Party fueled the growing tension between Britain and America, ultimately leading to the Revolutionary War in 1775.
The Revolutionary War led to America winning its independence from Britain.