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The Boston Tea Party: The Protest That Sparked Revolution

By: Elinor Evans
Originally Published in  HistoryExtra

On December 16, 1773, American colonists staged a daring protest against British tax policies by destroying 46 tons of tea in Boston Harbor, setting the stage for the American Revolution.

The article "The Boston Tea Party: The Protest That Sparked Revolution" from BBC's HistoryExtra explains the critical event in December 1773 when colonists protested British taxation by dumping 46 tons of tea into Boston Harbor. The Boston Tea Party marked a significant turning point in American history, galvanizing further rebellion that eventually led to the American Revolution.
Student Article Info

BBC's HistoryExtra is devoted to both British and world history and aimed at readers of all levels of knowledge and interest. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Grades:
6-89-12
Subject:
Social Studies
Topic:
History
Keywords
Boston Tea PartyEast India CompanyTea ActAmerican Revolution
Illustration of people breaking boxes of tea on a cargo ship during the Boston Tea Party
© Getty

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Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

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Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 600-800L
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Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 900-1000L
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