Despite the peace that temporarily reigned in Boston, the Sons of Liberty were continually trying to find ways to keep Parliament’ s power over them in check. Furthermore, the tax on tea became more and more irritating.

In 1773, Parliament authorized the Tea Act. Within the Tea Act, Parliament granted the East India Company a monopoly (the only business in a specific trade or product) over the American tea trade. Although the monopoly decreased the price of tea, Americans realized that Parliament was only regulating American trade, and had the power to interfere in American business whenever it suited them. Public protest of the Tea Act grew quickly through the colonies. Fearing a revolt, several ships carrying tea destined for New York and Philadelphia returned to England without unloading tea.

On December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty, led by Samuel Adams, planned to show Parliament how they felt about the Tea Act. They boarded the British ship Dartmouth docked in Boston Harbor, dressed up as Native Americans, and dumped the entire load of tea into the water. This event came to be known as the Boston Tea Party.

The historical significance of the Boston Tea Party is recognized more in the British response than in the event itself.

As a result of the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed the following laws designed to punish the Americans.

1.) The Boston Harbor Bill– This act closed the harbor to all commercial traffic until Americans paid for the tea they dumped.

2.) The Administration of Justice Act – This act required the extradition (transfer) of all royal officials charged with capital crimes in America to courts in Great Britain.

3.) Massachusetts Government Act – This act ended self-rule in the colonies and made all elected officers in America subject to British appointment.

4.) Quartering Act – This was simply a new version of the 1765 Quartering Act which required Americans to provide accommodations (housing, food, clothing etc.) to British soldiers if necessary.

5.) Quebec Act – This act extended the Canadian border (British territory) into the Ohio River Valley and eliminated lands that were claimed by Massachusetts, Virginia and Connecticut.

These acts were called the Intolerable Acts in America and resulted in the formation of the Continental Congress.

What is the purpose of the first paragraph?
1. To define the word "monopoly"
2. To introduce Parliament.
3. To detail events that led to the Boston Tea Party.
4. To describe the events that occurred during the Boston Tea Party
Why did "The Sons of Liberty" stage the Boston Tea Party?
1. They wanted a monopoly over the Tea Trade.
2. They were protesting the Tea Act
3. They feared a British revolt
4. They wanted to form their own Congress
What was the EFFECT of the Boston Tea Party?
1. A British revolt
2. The British apologized for their actions
3. The British granted the Sons of Liberty a monopoly over tea
4. Parliament issued the Intolerable Acts
What was the purpose of the Sons of Liberty?
1. To obtain a tea monopoly
2. To find ways to keep Parliament's power over the colonists "in check"
3. To authorize the Tea Act
4. To decrease the price of tea
What was the CAUSE of the formation of the Continental Congress?
1. The issuance of the Intolerable Acts
2. The issuance of the Tea Act
3. The Boston Tea Party
4. The East India Company