The Boston Tea Party

Study Notes

The Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party was an important event in American history that took place in 1773, where a group of American colonists, known as the Sons of Liberty, protested against unfair British taxes by throwing 340 chests of tea, worth around $2 million in today's dollars, into Boston Harbor.
The British government imposed taxes on various items, including tea, without the colonists' consent, and used the revenue without their input, leading to feelings of unfairness and rebellion among the colonists.

The Sons of Liberty

The Sons of Liberty was a group of American colonists who formed to protest British taxes and rebel against the British crown.
The group was led by Samuel Adams, who organized the Boston Tea Party along with other leaders, including John Hancock, a future signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Planning and Execution

The Sons of Liberty held a series of meetings in the Old South Meeting House in Boston, attended by up to 5,000 colonists, to plan their protest against the tea tax.
Samuel Adams asked the British government to reconsider the tax, but when they refused, the Sons of Liberty decided to take action.
The identities of the colonists who participated in the Boston Tea Party remain unknown to avoid British punishment, but it's estimated that between 100 to 175 people were involved.

Notable Participants

Paul Revere, famous for his midnight ride during the Revolutionary War, likely participated in the Boston Tea Party.
Samuel Cooper, only 16 years old at the time, later became a military leader for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
George Hewes, who had been injured in the Boston Massacre, got his revenge by destroying the British tea.
Amos Lincoln, a cousin of President Abraham Lincoln's father, participated in the Boston Tea Party.
Francis Akeley was the only person imprisoned for his role in the event.

Description

Relive the historic night when American colonists protested British taxation by throwing tea into Boston Harbor. Learn about the events leading up to and during the Boston Tea Party, an important milestone in American history.