What was the Boston Tea Party?

The Boston Tea Party was a significant act of protest against British taxation without representation, specifically targeting the Tea Act of 1773. It involved colonists, primarily members of the Sons of Liberty, boarding British ships and throwing an entire shipment of tea into Boston Harbor as a direct challenge to British authority and taxation policies. This dramatic act of defiance was intended to demonstrate the colonists' refusal to accept the unjust taxes imposed on them without their consent and helped galvanize support for the broader movement towards American independence. This event not only highlighted the growing tensions between the colonies and Britain but also served as a catalyst for the American Revolutionary War.