Boston Tea Party
Main Idea Colonists were outraged by the Tea Act which ordered them to
pay and extra tax on their tea. Instead of paying the tax colonists called for a
boycott on tea. The Daughters of Liberty served coffee or Liberty Tea which
was made of Raspberry leaves. The Sons of Liberty did their part by refusing
to allow tea ships to unload their cargo.
I. Boston Tea Party
A. November 1773 - Three British East India Company ships arrive in Boston
Harbor. These ships were carrying tea to be sold to colonists. Under the Tea
Act colonists must still pay the tea tax. The rule says that the cargo must be
unloaded and the tax must be paid within 20 days or else all the tea will be
seized by the government.
B. The Sons of Liberty refused to allow the ships crew to unload the cargo.
Days went by and the colonists drew closer to December 16th, the deadline to
pay the tax.
C. Colonial Demand -
D. “Boston Harbor a teapot tonight!”
E. Result -
What was the “message” that
Query- the colonists were trying to
send with the Boston Tea Party?
Key Idea The British (and some colonists) were outraged by the Boston Tea
Party. However, none of the colonists expected what happened next. The British
government passed what became known as the Intolerable Acts. Because of the
Intolerable Acts some colonists began to think that the time was coming to break
away and govern themselves.
The Intolerable Acts
1. Boston Harbor was closed until the tea was repaid.
2. No town meetings without the governor’s permission.
3. British officials charged with major crimes would be tried back in England
4. New Quartering Act meant more British troops in colonial homes.