Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party is a significant event in the history of the United States as it marked the beginning of active resistance against colonialism and a more open rise of patriotism. This event took place in 1773 just as resentment towards the English colonial government grew. There were many grievances, including taxation without representation. The colonial administration enacted taxes on various commodities, including tea, in a punitive manner that did not take into account the economic interests of the settlers. This event resulted in the destruction of a large shipment of tea belonging to the British East India Company.

After this event, the Boston harbor was shut down for several weeks. Further, the British government enacted more laws seeking payment for the loss incurred. This reaction further aggravated the Patriots. The British enacted the Intolerable Acts, which increased the reach of the British Parliament in the colonies. While the Boston Tea party was an act of economic sabotage by the settlers who sought to establish autonomy over their government, it signaled that the time was ripe for a final push for freedom. A few years later, in 1777, the Articles of Confederation were published.

The Boston Tea Party heralded a phase of increased agitation and push towards independence. The event was a daring raid on ships owned by a company that was essentially a subsidiary of the British government. It, therefore, increased confidence that the colonies had the capacity to push back against British aggression and win independence. Two years later, in 1775, the revolutionary war broke out. During the war, the Continental Congress met and signed the Declaration of Independence. At this moment, there was no going back, and the new states had to fight the British to safeguard their independence. The Boston Tea Party fueled the fire of patriotism needed to galvanize patriots such that they eventually risked their lives and went to war for independence.