Section 1
Colonists Dump Tea to Protest British Taxes
Angered by the Tea Act giving the East India Company a monopoly on tea, colonists disguised as Native Americans threw 342 cases of tea into Boston Harbor on December 16, 1773.
In this Grade 8 lesson from America: History of Our Nation, students examine the escalating conflict between American colonists and Britain, tracing the causes of the Boston Tea Party, the colonial response to the Intolerable Acts, and the opening battles at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. Key terms including monopoly, repeal, and minuteman help students understand how British policies like the Tea Act and the Quebec Act pushed colonists from peaceful protest toward armed rebellion. The lesson also develops the reading skill of drawing logical conclusions from historical evidence.
Section 1
Colonists Dump Tea to Protest British Taxes
Angered by the Tea Act giving the East India Company a monopoly on tea, colonists disguised as Native Americans threw 342 cases of tea into Boston Harbor on December 16, 1773.
Section 2
Parliament Punishes Colonies with Intolerable Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed four harsh laws that closed Boston's port, increased British control over Massachusetts, and restricted colonists' rights, unintentionally uniting the colonies in protest.
Section 3
Minutemen Exchange Fire with British at Lexington and Concord
On April 19, 1775, British troops attempted to seize colonial weapons in Concord. The conflict sparked battles at Lexington and Concord, marking the first military engagements of the American Revolution.
Section 4
Continental Congress Unites Colonies Against British Rule
In 1774, representatives from twelve colonies met in Philadelphia to demand the repeal of the Intolerable Acts, declare self-governance rights, call for trained militias, and organize boycotts of British goods.
Section 5
Colonists Express Protest Through Various Actions
Americans protested through boycotts led by women, political symbols like the rattlesnake, plays mocking British officials, and sometimes violent demonstrations such as tarring and feathering tax collectors.
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Section 1
Colonists Dump Tea to Protest British Taxes
Angered by the Tea Act giving the East India Company a monopoly on tea, colonists disguised as Native Americans threw 342 cases of tea into Boston Harbor on December 16, 1773.
Section 2
Parliament Punishes Colonies with Intolerable Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed four harsh laws that closed Boston's port, increased British control over Massachusetts, and restricted colonists' rights, unintentionally uniting the colonies in protest.
Section 3
Minutemen Exchange Fire with British at Lexington and Concord
On April 19, 1775, British troops attempted to seize colonial weapons in Concord. The conflict sparked battles at Lexington and Concord, marking the first military engagements of the American Revolution.
Section 4
Continental Congress Unites Colonies Against British Rule
In 1774, representatives from twelve colonies met in Philadelphia to demand the repeal of the Intolerable Acts, declare self-governance rights, call for trained militias, and organize boycotts of British goods.
Section 5
Colonists Express Protest Through Various Actions
Americans protested through boycotts led by women, political symbols like the rattlesnake, plays mocking British officials, and sometimes violent demonstrations such as tarring and feathering tax collectors.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter