Boston Tea Party

Listen

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 Indians, 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 bill 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.

Why did Americans oppose the Tea Act?
1. It made tea more expensive.
2. It made tea cheaper.
3. It showed that parliament could interfere with American trade.
4. The quality of tea had decreased.
What is a monopoly?
1. When all the tea is gone.
2. When there is only one business is a specific trade.
3. The Sons of Liberty.
4. When all businesses fail.
What does "authorized" mean in the following sentence?

"In 1773, Parliament authorized the Tea Act".
1. Found an author for.
2. Wrote.
3. Passed or allowed.
4. Defended.
In which of the following sentences is the word "authorized" used correctly?
1. The league authorized several new rules for the upcoming season.
2. Many writers authorized their books in the form of a journal.
3. I authorized my little brother when he was picked on.
4. The winter will be authorized soon.
Why did tea destined for New York and Philadelphia return to England?
1. The tea tax was too high.
2. People refused to drink the tea.
3. A revolt was possible.
4. The ports were closed.
Which of the following is NOT true?
1. The Sons of Liberty dressed up as Indians and threw the entire load of tea aboard the Dartmouth into Boston Harbor.
2. The Boston Tea Party resulted in the passage of the Intolerable Acts.
3. The Intolerable Acts resulted in the formation of the Continental Congress.
4. The Boston Tea Party was carried out to show the Americans how Parliament felt about the tea tax.
Which of the following reflects the Quartering Act?
1. This act closed Boston Harbor to all commercial traffic.
2. This act required all royal officials charged with crimes in America to be judged for those crimes in Great Britain.
3. This act required American citizens to open their homes to British soldiers.
4. This act eliminated American land claims in the Ohio River Valley.
Which of the following reflects the Quebec Act?
1. This act required all royal officials charged with crimes in America to be judged for those crimes in Great Britain.
2. This act eliminated land claims of Virginia and Massachusetts in the Ohio River valley.
3. This act required American citizens to open their homes to British soldiers.
4. This act ended self-rule in the colonies and made all elected officers in America subject to British appointment.
What happened second?
1. Congress authorized the Tea Act.
2. The Intolerable Acts.
3. The Boston Tea Party.
4. The formation of the Continental Congress.
What happened third?
1. Congress authorized the Tea Act.
2. The Intolerable Acts.
3. The Boston Tea Party.
4. The formation of the Continental Congress.