R-Tolerance: Reflections on the Boston Tea Party and Colonial Antagonism

There are few events that occurred during the historic period when America declared its independence from Britain that are so historic, so iconic that they have become as much myth and legend as history.And certainly the Boston Tea Party fits that description.It is an event so prominent in American history that it is quite common to see school children re-enacting it during elementary school plays or skits.And the names of participants such as John Hancock, Paul Revere and John Adams have also become classic heroic figures in American folklore and history.

However, the events of December 16, 1776 are not fairy tales or myths, but a real and important part of the development of the American Revolution that was crucial to the founding of the country.The taxation situation imposed by Brittan on goods entering the colonies was one of serious stress for the colonists because they had no control over the taxes.And the tax situation was made more extreme by the relationship between the British government and the East India Tea company which received tax breaks for their goods that would put them at a competitive advantage in America.  

This kind of preferential treatment only exacerbated the already strained relationship between the colonies and Britain and many who led the American states saw the way Britain handled the situation as a conspiracy to try to hurt the economy of the new growing country and impose restrictive rules through taxation on the colonies and colonists. That is why the famous proclamation No Taxation Without Representation became one of the historic proclamations because of the anger against Britain that led the colonies into a revolutionary war that ultimately led to the independence of the American colonies and the start of a new country.

Finally on Thursday, December 16, 1776, decisive action needed to be taken.And our forefathers would be nothing if not known for bold and decisive action in the face of tyranny.The East India Tea Company had docked the ship HMS Dartmouth in Boston harbor loaded with fresh tea imports for the colonies.It was time for the colonists to make a statement that this unethical and immoral taxation of tea for all intents and purposes was an act of war and they would treat it as such.

Disguised as Indians, the brave colonists boarded HMS Dartmouth and her sister ships, HMS Beaver and HMS Eleanor, and skillfully and efficiently dumped the entire shipment of tea into Boston harbor.In all, more than forty-five tons of tea were dumped overboard that night.It was a stunning blow.But more than that, it was a slap in the face to the British government and a challenge that their attempts to rule the colonies by tyranny would no longer be tolerated.

It was pivotal in pushing the hostility between Britain and the colonies past the stage of humiliation and preparing the forces for war. But more than that, it was such a bold statement of defiance that many colonists were inspired to join the chorus calling for war and independence.  

For loyal British citizens, the idea of breaking away and forming their own country was difficult to comprehend. However, the leadership of the men who planned and executed the Boston Tea Party demonstrated a new spirit of independence. This was the kind of backbone, sense of pride and self-reliance that would come to define the American spirit in the years to come. However, it took the courage and determination of this small group of men to show that being trampled by a foreign tyrant was not something we should accept.  

It made a statement to the British and the colonists at the same time that revolution was possible and they could truly consider themselves a free people who would not bow to any king. From that moment on, American independence was inevitable. These visionary leaders showed us an America that gave power to its people, not to kings or governments, and the result is that how America works and our lives are lived is a direct result of bold protests like the Boston Tea Party.