Boston+Tea+Party+Overview



The Boston Tea Party was the first form of organized protest in America. It took place on December 16th, 1773 in the harbor of Boston, Massachusetts. American colonists were getting increasingly agitated that they were being taxed (a fee paid to the government for goods and services) on common items, but all of the money was going to the English government. They were also upset that there were no Americans in the English government (called Parliament). When a shipment of tea (which was the newest item to be taxed by Parliament)came into Boston, the American colonists said they didn't want to pay the taxes, and ordered the ship to go back to England with the tea. The British military officers that were there said the Americans had no choice, and they must pay for the tea and its taxes. That night, Americans dressed up as Indians and snuck on board the ship. They located the crates of tea, and dumped them into the Boston Harbor. The British officials were furious at this act of protest, which was a rallying cry for American colonists who were upset with the English government. Within days, this event was being referred to as "The Boston Tea Party".