The Boston Tea Party

Question 1

1773 Tea Act

Answer 1

• designed to save the East India Company rather than assert parliamentary sovereignty over the colonies
• abolished British duties on the company’s tea whilst obliging Americans to continue paying the duty levied under Townshend’s legislation

Question 2

American reaction to Tea Act

Answer 2

• most were convinced that the act was another attempt at Parliamentary taxation
• was bitterly attacked in newspapers and pamphlets
• Tea sent to Philadelphia and NY was rejected and sent back to England
• in all major ports, the tea agents were forced to resign.

Question 3

The Boston Tea Party (28th Nov)

Answer 3

• 28th November the ship, Dartmouth, bearing 114 chests of East India Company tea entered Boston harbour
• Hutchinson = determined that tea be embarked
• 1000s gathered daily to prevent tea form being unloaded

Question 4

BTP (2nd - 15th Dec)

Answer 4

• 2nd December, The Eleanor joined
• 15th December, The Beaver joined

Question 5

BTP (16th Dec)

Answer 5

• 60 Sons of Liberty, disguised as Native Americans and led by Sam Adams boarded the 3 tea ships
• they threw their cargoes, 342 tea chests worth around £10,000.
• a huge crowd watched in silence including