The Boston Tea Party - Reading

​The American Revolutionary War Started in Boston

​ The American Revolutionary War was the result of repeated conflict between the British government and its American colonies. One event that contributed greatly to an escalation in hostilities was the Boston Tea Party of 1773. This incident, in which colonists boarded British ships and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor , is now a famous milestone in the annals of the American Revolution.

​ The American colonists were reacting to the taxation policies of the British. The Americans had enjoyed a great deal of self - rule until the British government , having completed its takeover of France's empire in North America, decided to exercise greater control over colonial activities. When the British instituted the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townsend tax on duties in 1767, many colonists simply refused to pay taxes of any kind.

​ The problem came to a head when the British assigned a monopoly on the import of tea through Boston to individuals sympathetic to their cause. The colonists were concerned that this would adversely affect many local merchants and would lead to the creation of monopolies in other retail areas. When the colonial governor, Thomas Hutchinson refused to prevent tea shipments, about 50 men masquerading as Indians boarded the unguarded British ships, broke apart the chests of tea , and dumped the contents into Boston Harbor. Consequently, the British reacted by sending more red coat troops to support their military authority over the colonies. This military presence , in turn, increased the political friction even further.

Multiple Choice

What is the reading passage primarily concerned with?

• The various ways British monopolies benefitted in America.

• The causes of the Boston Tea Party incident

• The reasons why the British taxed tea in the American colonies.

• The results of the Stamp Act on 1765.

Multiple Choice

What is a "milestone?"

• An important event or change.

• A tea brand label.

• A change of opinions.

Multiple Choice

Why primarily did the American colonists fear British trade monopolies?

• The adverse effect on tea prices.

• The increased control of British presence and control of American markets.

• The competition between American tea and British tea prices.

• The power of American monopolies in Boston.

Multiple Choice

What does the expression " came to a head" mean?

• Many local business men were failing.

• Some colonists were very sympathetic with the French.

• The problem of monopolies was not serious.

• The conflict between the colonists and British troops was becoming critical.

Multiple Choice

Why does the author imply that the colonists dressed as Indians?

• In order to place the blame for the crime on them.

• In order to disguise their own identities.

• In order to show an alliance with Native Americans.

• In order to frighten the British red coat soldiers on the ships.

Multiple Choice

What are annals ?

• Taxes

• Historical records

• Ships

• Types of tea.

Multiple Choice

How did the British first try to exert increased control over the colonists?

• They took over French colonies in North America.

• They limited the self - rule of colonists by sending British generals.

• They instituted a series of taxes on British exports to America charged duties on American exports to England.

Multiple Choice

It can be inferred that prior to the Boston Tea Party, most British troops

• were stationed in no other colonies across America.

• were under the command of Governor Thomas Hutchinson.

• had less difficulty controlling trade and commerce in America.

Multiple Choice

Why was the Boston Tea Party and important event?

• It led to a reduction of tea taxes by the British.

• It caused a major conflict and confrontation with the British.

• It prevented the British from exporting tea to the colonies.

• It forced the British to remove troops from Boston.