Unveiling The Catalysts Behind The Boston Tea Party

Zach Kelroy Mr. Lese World History 6 March 2024 Unveiling the Catalysts Behind the Boston Tea Party The Boston Tea Party was a vital turning point in American history. It was caused by colonial anger towards unfair laws and taxes like the Sugar, Stamp, Townshend, and Tea Acts. Overall, the Boston Tea Party boils down to a convergence of political tensions and economic grievances. This act of defiance, characterized by dumping tea into Boston Harbor, symbolized an intensifying resistance among the colonies and helped catalyze the move towards independence and the American Revolutionary War. Britain taxed colonists to pay debts that Britain incurred during the French and Indian War. One of these was the Sugar Act. It was largely unsuccessful because many local officials took bribes instead of

This law was passed because in January 1773, the East India Company had fallen heavily into debt. Parliament decided to assist the company by passing the Tea Act. . [A]llowing the Company to ship tea directly to its own agents in America” (Benson, et al. Tea Act. This caused the East India Company to have a monopoly by removing the middlemen. Colonists “responded by smuggling even more tea, but eventually, the [East India Company’s] tea became even less expensive than the smuggled tea,” (Boston Tea Party Gale). As a result, colonists opted to rebel through the Boston Tea Party. In the end, there are numerous causes for the Boston Tea Party. These causes include unfair laws and taxes like the Sugar, Stamp, Townshend, and Tea Acts. In summary, the Boston Tea Party resulted from political tensions and economic injustice. This represented the colonies' growing resistance and was one of the most pivotal moments that sparked the American Revolutionary War. Works Cited Bell, J. L. "Boston Tea Party: Politicizing Ordinary People." Americans at War, edited by John P. Resch, vol. 78. 1: 1500-1815, Macmillan Reference USA, 2005,