Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party

People traveled from Europe to live in North America

• England was in control of the colonies

• England had just won a war against France

• To pay back money, England taxed the colonists

Many people in the thirteen colonies in America drank tea. Though tea was not cheap, people liked it so much they saved up to buy it.

That was until the British Parliament and King George placed a tax on it. Then the colonists said they would stop drinking British tea. 

Multiple Choice

What did the colonists like to drink?

• coffee

• tea

• orange soda

• water

Multiple Choice

Was the tea expensive?

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

What did the colonists decide to do when England taxed the tea?

• pay for the tea

• stop drinking tea

• ask to pay less

British ships bringing tea to the colonies were turned away. Then, on a cold winter day, the governor in Boston allowed three British ships carrying tea to sail into Boston Harbor.

That night a group of men who were dressed like Native Americans climbed onto the ships. They threw the tea into the water. This became known as the Boston Tea Party. 

Harbor

A place on the coast where ships can dock safely.

Multiple Choice

Why do you think the colonists dressed up as Native Americans?

• to disguise themselves

• because it was Halloween

News of what had happened in Boston spread. Soon, many people in the colonies were celebrating the Boston Tea Party.

However, when the news reached King George and Parliament, they became very angry. They sent British warships to close Boston Harbor. With the harbor closed, no food or supplies could get in. 

Multiple Choice

How did the colonist feel after the Boston Tea Party?

• Happy and Proud

• Sad and Upset

• Tired and embarrassed

Multiple Choice

How did King George III and England feel after the Boston Tea Party?

• Proud and Happy

• Angry and Mad

• Sad and Upset

Multiple Choice

What did it mean for the colonists to have Boston Harbor closed?

• They had to buy more tea.

• No food or supplies could come into Boston.

• They couldn't travel to Asia.

To show their support for the people of Boston, colonists from across the thirteen colonies sent food and clothes. The British sent more British soldiers to keep order. 

The colonists called the British "Red Coats" because they wore red coats as part of their uniform

Open Ended

Are the colonists and England getting along?

Answer in a complete sentence.