Rebellion against the principle of “taxation without representation” Remembering the Boston Tea Party

Following the British colonial policies for years had disregarded what the colonists believed were their rights as Englishmen. They wanted representation within the British government but had none, and were therefore voiceless. A series of taxes were imposed on the colonies by the British, including the Tea Act in May 1773. This tea tax granted the financially troubled British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales to the American colonies and required payment of the tax upon delivery in port. The amount of the tax was relatively small but the resentment of colonial exploitation was greater. After attempts to prevent the unloading of the British tea failed, concerned colonists met to di