American Tempest : How the Boston Tea Party Sparked a Revolution

On Thursday, December 16, 1773, an estimated seven dozen men, many dressed as Indians, dumped roughly £10,000 worth of tea in Boston Harbor. Whatever their motives at the time, they unleashed a social, political, and economic firestorm that would culminate in the Declaration of Independence two-and-a-half years later. The Boston Tea Party provoked a reign of terror in Boston and other American cities as tea parties erupted up and down the colonies. The turmoil stripped tens of thousands of their homes and property, and nearly 100,000 left forever in what was history's largest exodus of Americans from America. Nonetheless, John Adams called the Boston Tea Party nothing short of "magnificent," saying that "it must have important consequences." Combining stellar scholarship with action-packed history, Harlow Giles Unger reveals the truth behind the legendary event and examines its lasting consequence--the spawning of a new, independent nation. Rally, Mohawks! -- The Saints Of Boston -- Mr. Cockle : The Governor's Creature -- The Miserable State Of Tributary Slaves -- Flockwork From England -- The Flame Is Spread -- A Diabolical Scene -- A Blackguard Town -- Farewell The Tea-board -- Damn You! Fire! -- Let Every Man Do What Is Right! -- We Will Never Be Taxed! -- We Must Fight! -- Savage Barbarities And Diabolical Cruelties -- The Forgotten Patriots. Harlow Giles Unger. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 253-274) And Index. From the author of The Last Founding Father, this book is an in-depth study of the Boston Tea Party and how it defined the course of American history. It takes a critical look at the famed incident and examines its heroes and villains. From the author of The Last Founding Father, an in-depth look at the Boston Tea Party and how it defined the course of American history.