On December 16, 1773, a group of American colonists calling themselves the “Sons of Liberty” boarded three merchant ships in Boston Harbor and poured all their cargo—342 chests of tea—into the water, an event now referred to as the Boston Tea Party.
Grades
6 - 12+
Subjects
Social Studies, Civics, U.S. History, World History
Contents
1 Image
Colonists who destroyed imported tea during the Boston Tea Party (here re-enacted in 1974) dressed like Mohawks. They did this to disguise their identities, as well as align themselves with America, not Great Britain.
Photograph by George F. Mobley, National Geographic
On December 16, 1773, a group of American colonists calling themselves the “Sons of Liberty” boarded three merchant ships in Boston Harbor and poured all their cargo—342 chests of tea—into the water, an event now referred to as the Boston Tea Party. The event protested tea imports, which colonists had boycotted due to “taxation without representation.”
The British government responded to the Boston Tea Party with a series of laws, called the Intolerable Acts by colonists. These acts closed Boston Harbor, ended self-governance and some judicial oversight in Massachusetts, and strengthened laws requiring colonists to support British troops in America.
Many veterans of the Boston Tea Party went on to lead the American Revolution, including Paul Revere, John Hancock, Sam Adams, Patrick Henry—and Benedict Arnold.
goods carried by a ship, plane, or other vehicle.
system or order of a nation, state, or other political unit.
to bring in a good or service from another area for trade.
freedom.
person who sells goods and services.
demonstration against a policy or action.
action taken on behalf of another person, group of people, or organization.
orbit, or a complete journey of an object around a more massive object.
The American Revolutionary War took place from 1775-1783, although the revolt against British Colonial rule began years before war was formally declared. The English Enlightenment influenced the thoughts of many of the colonial Founding Fathers as they pursued liberty, fought for their rights, and for freedom from King George III. These ideals are reflected in the United States Constitution, which was written shortly after the Revolutionary War came to an end, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Select from these resources to teach your students about what sparked the Revolution, and the key events of the war.
The British arrived in North America in 1587 through the sponsorship of the Plymouth Company, which established a short-lived settlement called Roanoke in present-day Virginia. Then in 1606, the London Company established a presence in what would become Jamestown, Virginia. These companies pursued the economic opportunities afforded by the natural resources abundant in this “New World.” The economy in the colonies, which varied regionally, was mostly centered around agriculture and exporting materials back to England. The southern colonies had large plantations that grew tobacco or cotton and required slave labor, while northern colonies had small family farms. Learn more about the economics of the 13 British colonies with these classroom resources.
A harbor is a body of water sheltered by natural or artificial barriers. Harbors can provide safe anchorage and permit the transfer of cargo and passengers between ships and the shore.
On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, Samuel Prescott, and dozens of other American revolutionaries rode through Middlesex County, Massachusetts, warning of the approach of British troops.
On March 18, 1766, the British Parliament repealed the Stamp Act.
The American Revolutionary War took place from 1775-1783, although the revolt against British Colonial rule began years before war was formally declared. The English Enlightenment influenced the thoughts of many of the colonial Founding Fathers as they pursued liberty, fought for their rights, and for freedom from King George III. These ideals are reflected in the United States Constitution, which was written shortly after the Revolutionary War came to an end, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Select from these resources to teach your students about what sparked the Revolution, and the key events of the war.
The British arrived in North America in 1587 through the sponsorship of the Plymouth Company, which established a short-lived settlement called Roanoke in present-day Virginia. Then in 1606, the London Company established a presence in what would become Jamestown, Virginia. These companies pursued the economic opportunities afforded by the natural resources abundant in this “New World.” The economy in the colonies, which varied regionally, was mostly centered around agriculture and exporting materials back to England. The southern colonies had large plantations that grew tobacco or cotton and required slave labor, while northern colonies had small family farms. Learn more about the economics of the 13 British colonies with these classroom resources.
A harbor is a body of water sheltered by natural or artificial barriers. Harbors can provide safe anchorage and permit the transfer of cargo and passengers between ships and the shore.
On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, Samuel Prescott, and dozens of other American revolutionaries rode through Middlesex County, Massachusetts, warning of the approach of British troops.
On March 18, 1766, the British Parliament repealed the Stamp Act.