Boston Tea Party Analysis

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An Eyewitness View of the Tea Party George Hewes’ account of the Boston Tea party is considered a firsthand account of a historically significant event. The Boston Tea party took place the night of December 16, 1773 on three ships anchored in Boston Harbor. Hewes recounts the events leading up to the Boston Tea Party, the actual attack on the ships and its aftermath. He provides descriptive narration thus contributing to the historical context surround the Tea party. This event and many others leading up to it, provide a colorful backdrop on the eve of the American Revolution. Hewes starts his narrative with an account of the events leading up to the actual attack on the three ships anchored at Griffin’s Wharf. Hewes says, “…there was …show more content…

Hewes continues to provide details about the actual assault on the wharf. He states, “It was now evening, and I immediately dressed myself in the costume of an Indian…I repaired to Griffin’s Wharf, where the ships lay…” (Hewes 1) Hewes uses these details in his account to give vivid imagery and historical substance. The narrative continues to discuss how the assembly of men were divided and assigned to commanders. The commanders assumed charge of the disguised rebels and boarded the unsuspecting ships. Once aboard his assigned ship, Hewes writes, …as soon as we were on board the ship appointed me boatswain, and ordered me to go to the captain and demand of him the keys… (2) Hewes played active role in the assault and had a front row view of the events. After the tea was thrown overboard, Hewes remarks on the ancillary events taking place simultaneously. He said, …”there were several attempts made by some citizens of Boston…to carry off small quantities of it for their family use”. (Hewes 3) Per Hewes’ account, all of the scavengers were stopped and chased away from the scene, some …show more content…

(140) It was during this time period that “the government in London concerned itself with the colonies in unprecedented ways…to help raise funds to pay for the war and finance the empire.” (Forner 141) The British government was heavily in debt after fighting the Seven Years War on several fronts. The need to raise funds was paramount and the colonies were a ready source. The British government started imposing taxes on the colonies as a means of income. This was a change in the relationship between America and the mother country. Many Americans opposed these taxes. (Forner 142- 143) According to Forner, “Opposition to the Stamp Act was the first great Drama of the revolutionary era and the first major split between the colonist and Great Britain over the meaning of freedom.” (142) This act was eventually repealed by Parliament in 1766 after great opposition by Americans. (Forner 144) The Stamp Act was just the beginning of several events and taxes on the colonist leading up the Boston Tea

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