Review: The Boston Tea Party

Great Britain has established a number of colonies in America by 1770s, under the influence of the colonists being citizens of Great Britain and subjects of King George III (Why were the American colonies unhappy with the British government?) Great Britain had bound the colonies by restricting trade so the colonies had to depend on the British for imported goods and supplies. (Why were the American colonies unhappy with the British government?) As the French and Indian War came to an end, Great Britain passed the Quartering Act in which American colonists was required to pay for lodging of British soldiers. (Why were the American colonies unhappy with the British government?) Colonists was apoplectic with anger seeing no reason for British

soldiers to remain in the colonies when the war was over. Britain was faced with a new problem, debt from the recent war. To compensate, Britain passed the Stamp Act and the Townsend Acts passed in 1767, taxing American colonists. (Why were the American colonies unhappy with the British government?) The colonists began boycotting British goods and an event similar to the Boston Tea Party took place in Yorktown, Virginia in 1774. (Why were the American colonies unhappy with the British government?)

The Destruction of Tea in Boston.

The prominent event that triggered a series of events in its awakening. This event was later to known as the Boston Tea Party, which was meant to battle and conclude the British “taxation without representation.” During the fall of 1773, Great Britain still controlled the American colonies (Matt Doeden, Charles Barnet, Dave Hoover, The Boston Tea Party). British Parliament passed the Tea Act, which sold the colonists tea at a overwhelming low price, and had to pay tax on the tea (Matt Doeden, Charles Barnet, Dave Hoover, The Boston Tea Party). The Boston Tea Party uncloaked our nation's leaders with the intention of standing up for their country. Actions such as Samuel Adams, the Sons of Liberty, Loyal Nine, and the night of December 16, 1773 will be “the glowing beacon” of America who took a stand against the conquering British

Empire.

Samuel Adams, an important figure in American history, not to mention, Adams orchestrated the Boston Tea Party. Samuel Adams was an American politician, unsuccessful brewer, and a poor businessman (USHistory.org Samuel Adams). In regards to taxes, Samuel Adams had once been a tax collector which made him a suspect for being a British spy, but unlike others, Adams understood the tax codes and was involved with many Boston merchants (USHistory.org Samuel Adams). An influence for people to join the Sons of Liberty, Adams battled against the Tea Act. The British Parliament approved the act allowing the East India Company to run a monopoly in the colonies. “By the low the East Indian Company had a monopoly over the importation of tea from China into Great Britain” (Benjamin Labarce Woods, The Boston Tea Party) In result this angered the American colonies until Samuel Adams took actions against the British. The tea was relatively cheap, and while some consumers were satisfied, others were infuriated. It was due to the British tea being so cheap, it crippled patriot merchants (Boston Tea Party Ship, Museum). While the British fill their pockets with cash (the tax on the tea), the colonies were losing their money and business. On December 17, 1773, Adams led the Son of Liberty on the British ships and dumped the tea onboard, costing the British a fortune (Boston Tea Party Ship, Museum). Samuel Adams quoted, “It does not take a majority to prevail… but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” (Brainy Quote) The quote explains how undersized group can still make a difference in the mind of other men and women. We all heard of resisting taxation without representation, but do we know the man behind it? In attempt to send back the tea, Samuel Adams sparked something greater and re-united colonies as a whole.

The Sons of Liberty. Everyone has heard of Samuel Adams, but even he couldn’t have done it without the help of the Sons of Liberty. It was somewhat of a “secret” society with the purpose of protecting the rights of colonies and to combat taxation by the British. Members of the Sons of Liberty include Samuel Adams, Joseph Warren, Paul Revere, Benedict Arnold, Benjamin Edes, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Lamb, William Mackay, Alexander McDougall, James Otis, Benjamin Rush, Isaac Sears, Haym Solomon, James Swan, Charles Thompson, Thomas Young, Marinus Willett, and Oliver Wolcott (Voices of the Revolution: Sons of Liberty). Involved in the British Tea Party, they are known for the protest against the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act was a direct tax on American colonies that demanded printed materials be produced on stamped paper made by the British. In result of the Stamp Act, the Sons of Liberty targeted Thomas Hutchinson (Lieutenant Governor, Chief Justice of Massachusetts). Thomas
Hutchinson was a loyalist, a person who remains loyal to their ruler (Boston Tea Party Ship, Museum). On August 15, 1765, the Sons of Liberty surrounded the province of Hutchinson and ordered he condemn the Stamp Act in his letters to London (Boston Tea Party Ship, Museum). After refusing the request, Hutchinson’s mansion was attacked by a mob. “If taxes are laid upon us in any shape without our having a legal representation where they are laid, are we not reduced from the character of free subjects to the miserable state of tributary slaves? We claim British right not by charter only! We are born to them.” (Brainyquote) The quote expresses how they are, technically, slaves to the British and how they are born into their policies. The Sons of Liberty were pivotal figures and represented guidance through the taxation of the British.

The Loyal Nine was a political group cloaked in mystery. The group was formed in 1765 by citizens outrages by the Stamp Act (Boston Tea Party Ship). Little information can be concluded about the Loyal Nine, but that they represented the colonies and fought for the right of American colonists. People of the organization include John Avery (alcohol manufacturer, trade) , Henry Bass (cousin of Samuel Adams), Thomas Chase (alcohol manufacturer), Stephen Cleverly (person who makes brass articles), Thomas Crafts (an artist), Benjamin Edes ( a printer), Joseph Field (ship captain), John Smith (person who makes brass articles), and George Trott ( a jeweler). (Boston Tea Party Ship) The Royal Nine intended to stop the Stamp Act from taking place. To do so, they organized and managed mob rule in Boston. (Boston Tea Party Ship) The mobs used force, fear, intimidation, and targeted pro Stamp Act supporters. This included putting anti Stamp Act posters on the streets of Boston and effigies of government people who supported the Stamp Act. (Boston Tea Party Ship) Unlike other protesters who solve their problems politically, Royal Nine has a different approach which proves to be effective. The group also met with Samuel Adams, a upcoming patriot leader at the time, and influence the group, leading the Royal Nine merging with the Sons of Liberty (Boston Tea Party Ship). The group had became on of the most influential organization during its time.

December 16, 1773, estimated over one hundred men snuck onto American ships carrying tea, a common mistake that the ships were British, the ships were American carrying tea from London (Boston Tea Party Ship). The Boston Tea Party wasn’t known as the Boston Tea Party until the 1820’s. Participants disguised as American-Indians snuck on-board the ships and dumped tea offboard. “Disguised themselves as Indians” and “92,600 pounds of tea leaves into the low-tide mud of Boston harbor” (Benjamin Carp, Defiance of the Patriots: The Boston Tea Party and the making of America) Some members of the Son of Liberty, represented by Samuel Adams, participated. In fear of punishment by the British, many contributors remained anonymous even to their death. At Griffin’s Wharf, 92,000 pounds of tea were thrown off the ships, which estimated today, would have costed around $1 million (Boston Tea Party Ship). The 92,000 pounds of tea caused the harbor to smell of tea. (Boston Tea Party Ship) The British furiated by the act, shut down the harbor until the tea was paid for. Benjamin Franklin actually offered to pay for the tea in request of the harbor being reopened, the British refused. (Boston Tea Party Ship) The act known as the Intolerable Act shutdown the port causing an impact in economy due to trade. (Boston Tea Party Ship) American colonists responded with outrage, protests, and resistances. A petition was signed for Britain to repeal the act under no success. The Boston Tea Party was a leading factor in the start of the American revolution.

The Boston Tea Party will inevitably be remembered throughout history.

Samuel Adams was, no doubt, the leading contributor in the events that took place. Adams led the Sons of Liberty and convince people to join their cause, battled against multiple acts by the British, and represented the colonies of America with his acts and achievements. The Sons of Liberty was an influential group combat against the Stamp and Tea Act placed in the colonies. The group targeted loyalists and changed the minds of many men. Loyal Nine has the same goals as the Sons of Liberty, but had a more discriminating way of doing so. The dumping of the tea showed that the colonies weren’t going to let Great Britain push they around any further. Many conclude that these events created our country, and to a certain point, it did. The Boston Tea Party was important to the American people because it shaped the country it is today. The Tea Party participants show powerful leadership in the Boston Tea Party as well as the ability to change people's minds. Samuel Adams quoted, “It does not take a majority to prevail… but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” (Brainyquote) The quote explains how a group of people can spark something tremendous even in minuscule numbers and is represented in the Boston Tea

Party.

Participants of the Boston Tea Party represented leadership with their courageous actions. It would to be known as the retaliation against the British and served a major role in United States history. The importance of the Boston Tea Party was to shape our country’s future and independence. With a formidable opponents such as Great Britain, contributors of the Tea Party was not faced with a straightforward task. Guided by Samuel Adams, the Sons of Liberty, and the Royal Nine, American colonies was able to overcome British’s taxation without representation. As we look at the background of these people, notice how many of them didn’t have significant authority. Members of the Boston Tea Party has regular jobs at the time, but was able to accomplish a great deal. In addition, the members had no intention of personal gain and was standing up for their views and what was right. With no more insight than ending improper taxing, participants of the Boston Tea Party ended up flaring the Revolutionary War; inevitably gaining America’s independence from Great Britain.