What event sparked the Boston Tea Party?

The Boston Tea Party, which took place on December 16, 1773, was primarily sparked by opposition to the Tea Act. This act allowed the British East India Company to sell its tea directly to the colonies, bypassing colonial merchants and effectively creating a monopoly on tea sales. Many colonists saw this as a violation of their rights, as it not only imposed a tax on tea without their consent but also undercut local businesses. The slogan "No taxation without representation" was central to their grievances, as they felt they were being taxed without having any representatives in the British Parliament. This protest culminated in the colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dumping 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor to resist what they perceived as unjust taxation and economic oppression. The Boston Tea Party thus became a significant act of defiance against British authority, leading to increased tensions that ultimately contributed to the American Revolution.