Tea Time in Boston
Despite the hopes of Patriots like Sam Adams, the Boston Massacre did not spark new protests against British rule. Instead, the repeal of the Townshend duties led to a period of calm. There was still a small tax on tea. but the tax didn't seem to bother Loyalists very much. And Patriots could always drink Dutch tea that had been smuggled into the colonies without paying duties.
Things did not stay peaceful, however. In 1773, a new law called the Tea Act prompted more protests. One of them was the incident that became known as the Boston Tea Party.
Things did not stay peaceful, however. In 1773, a new law called the Tea Act prompted more protests. One of them was the incident that became known as the Boston Tea Party.
The Tea Act: The Tea Act was Lord North's attempt to rescue the British East India Company. This large trading company controlled all the trade between Britain and Asia. For years it had been a moneymaker for Britain. But the American boycott of British tea hurt the company badly. By 1773, it was in danger of going broke unless it could sell off the 17 million pounds of tea that was sitting in its London warehouses.
The Tea Act lowered the cost of tea that was sold by the British East India Company in the colonies. As a result, even taxed British tea became cheaper than smuggled Dutch tea. The Tea Act also gave the British East India Company a monopoly, or complete control, over tea sales in the colonies. From now on, the only merchants who could sell the bargain-priced tea were those chosen by the company.
Lord North may have thought he could trick Americans into buying taxed tea by making it so cheap, bot colonists weren't fooled. They saw the Tea Act as still another attempt to tax them without their consent.
The Tea Act lowered the cost of tea that was sold by the British East India Company in the colonies. As a result, even taxed British tea became cheaper than smuggled Dutch tea. The Tea Act also gave the British East India Company a monopoly, or complete control, over tea sales in the colonies. From now on, the only merchants who could sell the bargain-priced tea were those chosen by the company.
Lord North may have thought he could trick Americans into buying taxed tea by making it so cheap, bot colonists weren't fooled. They saw the Tea Act as still another attempt to tax them without their consent.
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In addition, many merchants were alarmed by the East India Company's monopoly over the tea trade. They wondered what the British government might try to control next. Would there be a monopoly on cloth? On sugar? Nervous merchants wondered what would happen to their businesses if other goods were also restricted. The thought of more monopolies made them shudder.
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Tea Ships Arrive: When the British East India Company's tea ships sailed into American ports, angry protesters kept them from unloading their cargoes. More than one ship turned back for England, still filled with tea. In Boston, however, the governor ordered the British navy to block the exit from Boston Harbor. He insisted that the three tea ships would not leave until all their tea was unloaded.
On December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty decided to unload the tea but not in the way the governor had in mind. That night, about 50 men dressed as Mohawk Indians boarded the three ships. One of them, George Hewes, described what happened.
On December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty decided to unload the tea but not in the way the governor had in mind. That night, about 50 men dressed as Mohawk Indians boarded the three ships. One of them, George Hewes, described what happened.
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"We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the chests of tea and throw them overboard... and we immediately proceeded to execute his orders, first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks... In about three hours from the time we went on board, we had thus broken and thrown overboard every tea chest to be found on the ship... We were surrounded by British armed ships, but no attempt was made to resist us."
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About 90,000 pounds of tea was dumped into the sea that night. Nothing else on the ships was touched.
News of the Boston Tea Party excited Patriots throughout the colonies. "This is the most magnificent moment of all," wrote John Adams in his journal the next day. "This Destruction of the Tea is so bold, so daring, so firm... it must have... important Consequences." He was right.
News of the Boston Tea Party excited Patriots throughout the colonies. "This is the most magnificent moment of all," wrote John Adams in his journal the next day. "This Destruction of the Tea is so bold, so daring, so firm... it must have... important Consequences." He was right.
You say Coercive, I Say Intolerable
Lord North was stunned by news of the Boston Tea Party. As he saw it, he had tried to help the colonists by sending them cheap tea. And what did they do? They threw it in the sea! This time they had gone too far! King George agreed. To him, the issue was no longer about taxes. It was about Britain's control over the colonies. "We must master them totally," he declared, "or leave them to themselves." And the king was not about to leave the colonies to themselves.
Britain's anger led Parliament to pass what they called the Coercive Acts in 1774. These laws were so harsh that many colonists called them intolerable, or unacceptable. Throughout the colonies, they became known as the Intolerable Acts.
Britain's anger led Parliament to pass what they called the Coercive Acts in 1774. These laws were so harsh that many colonists called them intolerable, or unacceptable. Throughout the colonies, they became known as the Intolerable Acts.
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Parliament Punishes Massachusetts: The Intolerable Acts were designed to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. The first law closed Boston Harbor to all shipping until the ruined tea was paid for. The second law placed the government of Massachusetts firmly under British control. Colonists in Massachusetts could not even hold a town meeting without the governor;s permission. The third law said that British soldiers who were accused of murder would be tried in England, not in the colonies. Finally, more troops were sent to Boston to enforce the new laws.
A few British leaders worried that the Intolerable Acts might push the colonies into rebellion. But George III was sure they would force the colonists to give in to British authority. |
The Colonies Begin to Unite: In fact, the Intolerable Acts did no force the colonist to give in. Boston Patriots declared they would "abandon their city to flames" before paying a penny for the lost tea. Merchants in other cities showed their support by closing their shops. Many colonies sent food and money to Boston so that its citizens would not starve.
In Virginia, lawmakers drafted a resolution in support of Massachusetts. The Virginians said that everyone's rights were at stake. "an attack made on one of our sister colonies," they declared, "is an attack made on all British America." The Virginians also called for a congress, or meeting, of delegates from all the colonies. The purpose of the congress would be to find a peaceful solution to the conflicts with Great Britain.
Not all Americans agreed with this plan. In every colony, there were Loyalists who thought that Bostonians had gone too far and should pay for the tea. If they were forced to choose, they would side with the king against Sam Adams and his Sons of Liberty. To them, it was the misguided Patriots who were causing all the trouble.
In Virginia, lawmakers drafted a resolution in support of Massachusetts. The Virginians said that everyone's rights were at stake. "an attack made on one of our sister colonies," they declared, "is an attack made on all British America." The Virginians also called for a congress, or meeting, of delegates from all the colonies. The purpose of the congress would be to find a peaceful solution to the conflicts with Great Britain.
Not all Americans agreed with this plan. In every colony, there were Loyalists who thought that Bostonians had gone too far and should pay for the tea. If they were forced to choose, they would side with the king against Sam Adams and his Sons of Liberty. To them, it was the misguided Patriots who were causing all the trouble.
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The First Continental Congress: In September 1774, some 50 leaders from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia. The meeting brought together delegates from most of the British colonies on the North American continent. For this reason, it was called the First Continental Congress.
The delegates were used to thinking of themselves as citizens of their own colonies. Patrick Henry, a leader form Virginia, urged them to come together as one people. "I am not a Virginian," he declared, "but an American." But only strong Patriots like Sam and John Adams were ready to think of themselves this way. Many delegates were strong Loyalists who still thought of themselves as British. Still others, like George Washington, were somewhere in between. Only one thing united the delegates - their love of liberty and hatred of tyranny. |
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In spite of their differences, the delegates agreed to send a respectful message to Kind George. The message urged the king to consider their complaints and to recognize their rights.
The delegates also called for a new boycott of British goods until Parliament repealed the Intolerable Acts. Finally, they agreed to meet again the following May if the boycott did't work.
The delegates also called for a new boycott of British goods until Parliament repealed the Intolerable Acts. Finally, they agreed to meet again the following May if the boycott did't work.
Monday, 9/14:
- Bellwork: It's Monday, which means Nearpod. However, we're going to do things in a slightly different order today.
- First we will listen to and discuss the story on Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day.
- Then, students will complete today's Nearpod. We just took our 9 weeks exam last week, so there will be no review part to today's Nearpod, just geography. Students are on individual devices. Click here and use the code on the board to get started. Please make sure to use your write your name as period # - REAL first and last name (Ex. 1- Joe Danner). If you're absent, see Mr. Danner for the code, when you return.
- Reminders: Lady Spartan's have their last home game this week. Be sure to turnout and show your support! This is the last week of the quarter. Do what you can to get those grades up before the week is over and 1st Quarter grades are submitted!
Week 5: September 9-13
Thu/Fri:
Standard, Advanced, & Pre-IB:
Tue/Wed:
Standard:
Mon:
Standard: Nearpod Review Quiz
Advanced & Pre-IB: Nearpod Review Quiz & Geo Quiz
Homework & Reminders:
All Classes: UNIT 1 TEST on Thu/Fri
Standard:
Standard, Advanced, & Pre-IB:
- Unit 1 Test
- all Unit 1 assignments are due
Tue/Wed:
Standard:
- European Exploration
- Draw the map and create the graphic organizer
- Columbian Exchange
- Cards #3-6
Mon:
Standard: Nearpod Review Quiz
Advanced & Pre-IB: Nearpod Review Quiz & Geo Quiz
Homework & Reminders:
All Classes: UNIT 1 TEST on Thu/Fri
Standard:
- Finish everything through European Exploration
- Stop at Cards #3-6
- Turn in everything for Unit 1 on Thu/Fri
- Think about History Fair topics
- Pre-IB only: work on community service hours
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Week 1: August 12 - 16
Welcome to my class. I'm excited to meet you all and get to know you better. We'll get into some activities by the end of the week, but the first day or two will be pretty routine, starting with the supply list. Try to have all these things by the start of Week 2. Thanks!
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Supply List:
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Binder colors, by class period:
Optional (to share):
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↑ 1st Quarter ↑
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