Boston Tea Party

One of the most significant events at the beginning of the American Revolution, often seen as the catalyst. [4] On December 16, 1773 about 100-200 of Boston's citizens disguised as Mohawks went on board of the ships of the East India Company. They threw the tea charge which came from England into the inner harbour. [4] It was a non-violent event that had a more symbolic character. The citizens of Boston wanted to protest against English taxes and custom duties. [1] The Tea Act had just been passed. The act allowed the East India Company which had financial problems tax relief and the exclusive right to sell tea in North America. Britain was eager to help the East India Company as it had huge possessions and estates in India. [4] The settlers were not willing to pay the taxes and, thus, most of the ships were then sent back to Britain or the goods were stored. Only in Boston the governor who was personally involved in the trade of the East India Company decided to discharge the goods. This was seen as catalyst that led to the protest. [3]

Britain had financial problems due to the French and Indian Wars (1754-1763). [5] The colonists were used to pay taxes and customs in order to save the imperial unity between the motherland and the colonies. The protective tariffs on imported goods aimed at preventing smuggling and the misuse of trade. [3] But with the Tea Act the colonists then accused the British government to make profit of their colonies. Furthermore, as the settlers in North America were not represented in the British parliament, they argued that they should not be charged with taxes like the citizens in Britain. Nevertheless, the British government then decided to charge taxes from people who were not represented in London and to put taxes on goods, as for example on sugar (Sugar Act) or on documents, newspapers and games (Stamp Act). [3]

The Boston Tea Party was the most significant event at the beginning of the revolution followed by some other "tea parties" with which the Americans resisted against the colonial rulers. [5] Britain reacted with the so-called Coercive Acts. These enforcement laws closed the harbour of Boston until payment of compensations to the East India Company was made. Furthermore, the British crown prevented with these laws that royal civil servants were charged by colonial courts and the laws empowered Britain to appoint important executive positions in the colonial administration. This heated up the tense situation in the colonies and led finally to a break with their motherland and to the independence of the 13 colonies in North America. [4]

Sources:

[1] Americanet. December 11, 2009. [1]

[2] Boston Tea Party. Ships & Museum. December 11, 2009. [2]

[3] Sautter, Udo. Geschichte der Vereingten Staaten vor Amerika. Stuttgart: Kröner, 1991.

[4] Dippel, Horst. Die Amerikanische Revolution 1763-1787. Frankfurt am Main: Surhkamp Verlag, 1985.

[5] Sautter, Udo. Lexikon der amerikanischen Geschichte. München: C. H. Beck, 1997.