Lesson 7 - The short-term causes.
From the Boston Massacre in 1770 to the Boston Tea Party in 1773, tensions between Britain and its American colonies ebbed and flowed. Shortly after the Boston Massacre, Britain repealed most of the Townshend Acts in April 1770, responding to effective colonial boycotts. However, the tax on tea remained, symbolizing Parliament's assertion of authority. This ushered in a "quiet period" (1770–1772), during which overt conflict diminished, but underlying resentment persisted. Colonial leaders like Samuel Adams worked to maintain opposition by organizing Committees of Correspondence, which fostered communication and unity among the colonies. The peace ended with the Gaspee Affair in 1772, when colonists burned a British customs ship enforcing trade laws in Rhode Island. Britain’s decision to try suspects in England reignited colonial anger.
The Boston Tea Party
Most British tea came from the East India Company. The company was in deep financial trouble and the government decided to help it by cutting the tax on tea to America. In 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act, allowing the East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies. This made the company's tea cheaper than the smuggled tea. But many merchants would have lost money if smuggling ended.
From the Boston Massacre in 1770 to the Boston Tea Party in 1773, tensions between Britain and its American colonies ebbed and flowed. Shortly after the Boston Massacre, Britain repealed most of the Townshend Acts in April 1770, responding to effective colonial boycotts. However, the tax on tea remained, symbolizing Parliament's assertion of authority. This ushered in a "quiet period" (1770–1772), during which overt conflict diminished, but underlying resentment persisted. Colonial leaders like Samuel Adams worked to maintain opposition by organizing Committees of Correspondence, which fostered communication and unity among the colonies. The peace ended with the Gaspee Affair in 1772, when colonists burned a British customs ship enforcing trade laws in Rhode Island. Britain’s decision to try suspects in England reignited colonial anger.
The Boston Tea Party
Most British tea came from the East India Company. The company was in deep financial trouble and the government decided to help it by cutting the tax on tea to America. In 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act, allowing the East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies. This made the company's tea cheaper than the smuggled tea. But many merchants would have lost money if smuggling ended.
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In Boston people attended a protest meeting on 16 December 1773. They decided to go aboard the ships and dump the tea in the harbour. A group of men disguised themselves as native American Indians. They climbed onto the three tea ships in the harbour and emptied the tea into the sea. Three hundred and forty-two tea chests were destroyed. It was said at the time that the pile of dumped tea was so high in the harbour that some of it was falling back onto the ships. Later some people went so far as to give up eating fish caught in Boston harbour 'because they had drunk of the East India Tea' .
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The 'tarr and feathering' of John Malcolm 1774
(A popular source with examiners) Customs Commissioner John Malcolm was tarred and feathered on two occasions. Firstly, in November 1773 he was targeted by sailors in Portsmouth, New Hampshire before undergoing a similar, albeit arguably more violent, ordeal in Boston in January 1774. Malcolm was stripped, whipped, beaten, tarred, and feathered for several hours. He was then taken to the Liberty Tree and forced to drink tea until he vomited. The Bostonians Paying the Excise-Man, 1774 British print by Philip Dawe The Intolerable Acts 1774.
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The Intolerable Acts (1774), also called the Coercive Acts in England, were harsh laws passed by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party. They aimed to reassert control but instead encouraged colonial unity and resistance.
Boston Port Act: Closed Boston’s harbour until the destroyed tea was paid for, crippling its economy. Massachusetts Government Act: Limited self-governance, placing Massachusetts under direct royal control and restricting town meetings. Administration of Justice Act: Allowed British officials accused of crimes to be tried in Britain or other colonies, ensuring leniency. Quartering Act: Required colonists to house British soldiers, even in private homes if necessary. Quebec Act: Extended Quebec’s territory and granted religious freedoms to Catholics, alarming Protestant colonists. |
Together the Colonies decided that they must make a united stand against King George and the British parliament. In September 1774 each of the thirteen colonies sent representatives to a meeting in Philadelphia . The meeting called itself the 'Continental Congress'.
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The First Continental Congress
A meeting of representatives from 12 of the 13 American colonies (Georgia did not attend) held from September 5 to October 26, 1774, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It marked the first major, organized effort to unify the colonies against British policies. Delegates included prominent leaders such as George Washington, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and Patrick Henry. The Congress asserted colonial rights and denounced the Coercive Acts as violations of those rights. It emphasized loyalty to the British Crown but demanded an end to oppressive laws. |
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An agreement was made to implement a colony-wide boycott of British goods starting in December 1774 and to cease exports to Britain if demands were not met by September 1775. This economic strategy sought to pressure Britain into repealing the Coercive Acts. The Congress decided to reconvene in 1775 if grievances remained unaddressed, signaling a commitment to sustained cooperation.
The First Continental Congress was pivotal as it fostered colonial unity and laid the groundwork for coordinated resistance. While it did not yet call for independence, it represented a collective stand against British oppression and was a precursor to the Second Continental Congress, which would eventually lead to the Declaration of Independence. This meeting helped solidify the colonies’ shared identity and resolve to defend their rights, setting the stage for the American Revolution.
The First Continental Congress was pivotal as it fostered colonial unity and laid the groundwork for coordinated resistance. While it did not yet call for independence, it represented a collective stand against British oppression and was a precursor to the Second Continental Congress, which would eventually lead to the Declaration of Independence. This meeting helped solidify the colonies’ shared identity and resolve to defend their rights, setting the stage for the American Revolution.
All attention on Boston: The first shots are fired
The Intolerable Acts (1774), enacted to punish Boston for the Tea Party, backfired. Measures like the Boston Port Act devastated the city’s economy but also rallied other colonies in support of Boston, increasing unity among the colonies. British attempts to maintain order by stationing troops in Boston fueled resentment and unrest. The colonial militia began preparing for conflict, increasing hostility.
The Intolerable Acts (1774), enacted to punish Boston for the Tea Party, backfired. Measures like the Boston Port Act devastated the city’s economy but also rallied other colonies in support of Boston, increasing unity among the colonies. British attempts to maintain order by stationing troops in Boston fueled resentment and unrest. The colonial militia began preparing for conflict, increasing hostility.
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The British appointed General Gage to restore order in Boston. Appointing a military commander to replace a civilian governor was a significant provocation. He learned that some Bostonians had a large store of arms in Concord, near Boston, and he planned to seize it. On the night of 18 April 1775, British troops set out for Concord. But the rebels learned of their plans and sent messengers to warn the surrounding countryside. The most famous messenger was Paul Revere who we have already come across.
At Lexington, on the road to Concord, rebels clashed with British troops. Eight Americans were killed and ten were wounded. Later that day a second battle took place in Concord. The British were forced to retreat to Boston. The Americans now placed Boston under siege. The War of Independence had begun. |
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April 19 2025 will mark the 250th anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord.
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Activity - The Boston Tea Party
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Extension and extras
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