Boston Tea Party Overview Quiz

Boston Tea Party Overview

• The Boston Tea Party occurred on December 16, 1773.
• It was a protest against the Tea Act, which allowed the British East India Company to sell tea in the colonies without the taxes imposed on colonial merchants.

Colonial Reactions

• American colonists organized protests and resistance, leading to the convening of the First Continental Congress in September and October of 1774.
• The Congress aimed to petition Britain for the repeal of the Intolerable Acts in response to the Tea Party and subsequent measures.

British Response

• In retaliation, the British government enacted the Coercive Acts, imposing stricter control over Massachusetts.
• These acts included fines for the destroyed tea and the stationing of British troops in Boston, as well as changes to Massachusetts' colonial charter.

The Act Itself

• At the Boston Tea Party, 342 chests of tea from the British East India Company were dumped into Boston Harbor by patriots disguised as Mohawk Indians.
• The estimated quantity of tea discarded amounted to over 92,000 pounds, equivalent to 18.5 million teabags.

Significance of the Event

• The Boston Tea Party symbolized a pivotal act of defiance against British rule and motivated colonists to fight for their rights.
• It inspired not only the American Revolution but also other global movements against injustice.

Impact and Legacy

• The Tea Party catalyzed colonial resistance, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775.
• It was the first significant challenge to British authority, setting the stage for the colonies' quest for independence.