1773

Boston Tea Party

Uprising in Boston against the tea tax imposed by Great Britain

In 1773, conflict erupted between the thirteen colonies and their mother country, Great Britain. The colonists, discontented with direct taxes (on sugar, stamps, and tea) established by the British Parliament, rose up in rebellion. Disguised as Native Americans, they threw the tea cargo from three East India Company ships into Boston Harbor. These ships had received from British Parliament the privilege of selling their tea tax-free, while independent American merchants, subject to taxes, faced unfair competition that was driving them to ruin.

This episode sparked the process that would ultimately lead to the United States' independence in 1776.