The Causes of The Boston Tea Party
Tea Act
In 1733, the Tea Act was passed by Parliament. The Tea Act gave the English East India Company a pass out of bankruptcy and a monopoly on the tea they imported to the colonies. The Tea Act angered the colonial merchants because they lost their jobs. Some were included with the sales, but others weren't. This is what made the merchants upset.
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act went into effect on November 1, 1765. The law called for a tax on stamps, which were required on all legal documents. Stamps cost half a penny to 10 pounds sterling each. They had to be paid in cash. Violators were fined or arrested.The tax raised income in Britain to £300,000 a year. The tax would cause America to lose about £60,000 a year. This tax angered many American citizens and many boycotted the Act. The Stamp Act created unity between the colonies to create a drive to defeat the British. This was one of the contributing factors that caused the Americans to perform the Boston Tea Party.
The Stamp Act went into effect on November 1, 1765. The law called for a tax on stamps, which were required on all legal documents. Stamps cost half a penny to 10 pounds sterling each. They had to be paid in cash. Violators were fined or arrested.The tax raised income in Britain to £300,000 a year. The tax would cause America to lose about £60,000 a year. This tax angered many American citizens and many boycotted the Act. The Stamp Act created unity between the colonies to create a drive to defeat the British. This was one of the contributing factors that caused the Americans to perform the Boston Tea Party.
Townsend Act
The Townsend Act placed taxes on imported British goods into America. This included lead, paper, glass, tea, and paint. This Act was passed November 20, 1767. This Act also angered the Americans, and many merchants declined the goods exported from Britain. The British could also have search warrants at any time to search for smuggled goods. This made Americans upset because it was illegal to search houses in Britain. This started the British patrol around the colonies. The Townsend Act led to the Boston Massacre, due to the patrolling British soldiers.
The Townsend Act placed taxes on imported British goods into America. This included lead, paper, glass, tea, and paint. This Act was passed November 20, 1767. This Act also angered the Americans, and many merchants declined the goods exported from Britain. The British could also have search warrants at any time to search for smuggled goods. This made Americans upset because it was illegal to search houses in Britain. This started the British patrol around the colonies. The Townsend Act led to the Boston Massacre, due to the patrolling British soldiers.
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred due to the increase in British soldiers patrolling the colonies. The soldiers harassed citizens and the citizens taunted back. These often led to fistfights due to the rise in tension between the soldiers and citizens. One night, on March 5, 1770, two young men were following British Captain John Goldfinch. One of these men was Edward Garrick who was harassing the Captain. A British guard witnessed the harassment and started beating Garrick. Garrick ran off and returned with a large group of colonists. A group of British soldiers also appeared. The British were ordered not to fire unless told by a royal governor. One soldier was struck with a club, which was returned with shots from British soldiers. They fired into the crowd, and after they stopped five colonists lay dead. The Sons of Liberty were outraged. After this, the Townsend Act was repealed, but a tax on tea remained. This would lead into the Boston Tea Party, led by the Sons of Liberty.
The Boston Massacre occurred due to the increase in British soldiers patrolling the colonies. The soldiers harassed citizens and the citizens taunted back. These often led to fistfights due to the rise in tension between the soldiers and citizens. One night, on March 5, 1770, two young men were following British Captain John Goldfinch. One of these men was Edward Garrick who was harassing the Captain. A British guard witnessed the harassment and started beating Garrick. Garrick ran off and returned with a large group of colonists. A group of British soldiers also appeared. The British were ordered not to fire unless told by a royal governor. One soldier was struck with a club, which was returned with shots from British soldiers. They fired into the crowd, and after they stopped five colonists lay dead. The Sons of Liberty were outraged. After this, the Townsend Act was repealed, but a tax on tea remained. This would lead into the Boston Tea Party, led by the Sons of Liberty.