Boston Tea Party

This passage discusses an event in American history called the Boston Tea Party.

Lexile Level: 610L

Categories: History People & Places

The American colonists held the Boston Tea Party in December, 1773. It was not a party though. It was a protest against taxes from England. The British Parliament had already taxed sugar, coffee, wine, and newspapers. The tea tax was too much. The colonists decided not to take any of the taxed tea. When the tea arrived, it was returned to England or put in warehouses. In Boston, the tea company was determined to unload its cargo. The colonists had to act fast. One night, a group of colonists dressed up as Native Americans. They called themselves the Sons of Liberty. They boarded three ships and dumped all the tea on board into the harbor. Then, they marched through the streets of Boston. The colonists were punished. The British Parliament closed the port until the company was paid for the lost tea.