HISTORIC CHURCH BUILDING THAT PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

This historic church building was built in 1729.
Yearly anniversary meetings of the Boston Massacre were held at this church until 1775. Most notable speakers include John Hancock and Joseph Warren.

Britain’s debt doubled following the war against France. The thirteen colonies seemed to be an easy source of revenue. On May 10, 1773, the British government passed the Tea Act which introduced arbitrary taxes and granted the East Indian Company a monopoly on the tea trade.

UNFAIR TAXES ON TEA

One of the most famous assemblies occurred in late 1773 where more than five thousand colonists met to debate British taxation and demanded that the 3 ships containing 60 tons of tea withdraw from Boston Harbor.

[pullquote]On December 16, 1773, in that very meeting house, Samuel Adams announced, “This meeting Can Do Nothing More to Save the Country”.[/pullquote] The Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawk Indians were waiting outside, they had now the green light to destroy the tea.
What was called later “Boston Tea Party” was quickly organized and 342 chests of taxable tea from England worth $700,000 (in today’s money) were dumped into the Boston Harbor in defiance of the Tea Act of May 10, 1773.

[pullquote]Colonists were against the Tea Act because they thought that it violated their rights “No taxation without representation”, James Otis’ catch phrase.[/pullquote] The harsh reaction of the British government helped ignite the American Revolution.