Causes of the Boston Tea Party
Mr. Monachino
pmonachino@syrdiocese.org
Seton Catholic Central
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What is the Boston Tea Party?
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December 17,
1773
150 Men dumped
342 chests of tea
into Boston Harbor
Major Leaders:
John Hancock and
Sam Adams
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Causes of Boston Tea Party
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British enforcement of
smuggling duties
The Sugar Act (1764)
Stamp Act (1765)
Townshend Acts
(1767)
Boston Massacre
(1770)
Tea Act (1773)
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Your Job!
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As we discuss each of the major
causes, fill out this handout and
explain how each caused the Boston
Tea Party!
British Enforcement of Smuggling
Laws
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British need money to pay off debts
from French and Indian War
• Catch smugglers; which was everyone
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1763: All people accused of
smuggling would be tried in
Admiralty Courts
• Not colonial courts where accused would
be acquitted by sympathetic juries
Sugar Act (1764)
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Raised taxes on sugar, molasses, silk,
wine, and coffee
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Stamp Act (1765)
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Taxed all printed
materials
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Newspapers
Mortgages
Licenses
Playing Cards
Etc.
Repealed in 1766
Townshend Act (1767)
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Taxes on glass,
lead, paper, paint,
and tea
Allowed British
customs officers to
search any ship.
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Boston Massacre (1770)
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British troops were
sent to the colonies to
enforce the Acts
Snow balls and rocks
thrown at soldiers
No one knows how
shots first fired
5 Colonists Dead
John Adams: Boston
Massacre Scene
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Tea Act (1773)
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Actually lowered
the cost of tea!
Made British
shipped Tea
cheaper than the
Colonial smuggled
Dutch Tea
Colonists were set
to lose lots of
revenue
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Questions
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How did each tax/event cause the
Boston Tea Party?
Which one was the most important?
Which one was the least important?
How would Britain respond to the
Party?
Relating to Today
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Modern Day Tea Party Movement
• How does this relate to Tea Party of 1773?
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More Information on Boston Tea
Party
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How Stuff Works: Boston Tea Party
Eye Witness Account