The Tea Act of 1773
What was it?
Before you learn about the Tea Act, you must know about the Townshend Act enacted in 1767. These were a series of taxes that were placed on tea, glass, and paper. The British Government then enacted the Tea Act of 1773 which gave the East India Tea Company (Britain's Tea Company) the ability to sell their tea with no tax placed.
Importance:
This allowed the East India Tea Company complete reign over the tea market. They were able to sell their tea at a much lower price than the Colonists tea. This gave the East India Tea Company a complete advantage over the tea market. Therefore, this would drive the tea companies of the Colonists out of business and forced the Colonists to buy British Tea. This is what led to the Boston Tea Party, where colonists dressed as Indians and dumped thousands of dollars in tea into the Boston Harbor.
Before you learn about the Tea Act, you must know about the Townshend Act enacted in 1767. These were a series of taxes that were placed on tea, glass, and paper. The British Government then enacted the Tea Act of 1773 which gave the East India Tea Company (Britain's Tea Company) the ability to sell their tea with no tax placed.
Importance:
This allowed the East India Tea Company complete reign over the tea market. They were able to sell their tea at a much lower price than the Colonists tea. This gave the East India Tea Company a complete advantage over the tea market. Therefore, this would drive the tea companies of the Colonists out of business and forced the Colonists to buy British Tea. This is what led to the Boston Tea Party, where colonists dressed as Indians and dumped thousands of dollars in tea into the Boston Harbor.