Defiance of the patriots : the Boston Tea Party and the making of America

This thrilling book tells the full story of the an iconic episode in American history, the Boston Tea Party—exploding myths, exploring the unique city life of eighteenth-century Boston, and setting this audacious prelude to the American Revolution in a global context for the first time. Bringing vividly to life the diverse array of people and places that the Tea Party brought together—from Chinese tea-pickers to English businessmen, Native American tribes, sugar plantation slaves, and Boston’s ladies of leisure—Benjamin L. Carp illuminates how a determined group of New Englanders shook the foundations of the British Empire, and what this has meant for Americans since. As he reveals many little-known historical facts and considers the Tea Party’s uncertain legacy, he presents a compelling and expansive history of an iconic event in America’s tempestuous past. From The Publisher: On The Evening Of December 16, 1773, A Group Of Disguised Bostonians Boarded Three Merchant Ships And Dumped More Than Forty-six Tons Of Tea Into Boston Harbor. The Boston Tea Party, As It Later Came To Be Known, Was An Audacious And Revolutionary Act. It Set The Stage For War And Cemented Certain Values In The American Psyche That Many Still Cherish Today. But Why Did The Tea Party Happen? Whom Did It Involve? What Did It Mean? The Answers To These Questions Are Far From Straightforward. In This Thrilling New Book, Benjamin L. Carp Tells The Full Story Of The Tea Party-exploding Myths, Exploring The Unique City Life Of Boston, And Setting This Extraordinary Event In A Global Context For The First Time. Bringing Vividly To Life The Diverse Array Of People And Places That The Tea Party Brought Together-from Chinese Tea-pickers To English Businessmen, Native American Tribes, Sugar Plantation Slaves, And Boston's Ladies Of Leisure-carp Illuminates How A Determined Group Shook The Foundations Of A Mighty Empire, And What This Has Meant For Americans Since. As He Reveals Many Little-known Historical Facts And Considers The Tea Party's Uncertain Legacy, He Presents A Compelling And Expansive History Of An Iconic Event In America's Tempestuous Past. Introduction : Teapot In A Tempest -- The Empire's Corporation -- The Ringleader Of All Violence -- Tea And Scandal -- Enemies To Their Country -- The Detestable Tea Arrives -- The Destroyers At Griffin's Wharf -- Resolute Men (dressed As Mohawks) -- Boycotting The Accursed Leaf -- Boston Bears The Blame -- Sugar, Slaves, And The Shadow Of The Tea Party -- Secrecy And Legacy. Benjamin L. Carp. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "On the evening of December 16, 1773, a group of disguised Bostonians boarded three merchant ships and dumped more than forty-six tons of tea into Boston Harbor. The Boston Tea Party, as it later came to be known, was an audacious and revolutionary act. It set the stage for war and cemented certain values in the American psyche that many still cherish today. But why did the Tea Party happen? Whom did it involve? What did it mean? The answers to these questions are far from straightforward. In this thrilling new book, Benjamin L. Carp tells the full story of the Tea Party-exploding myths, exploring the unique city life of Boston, and setting this extraordinary event in a global context for the first time. Bringing vividly to life the diverse array of people and places that the Tea Party brought together-from Chinese tea-pickers to English businessmen, Native American tribes, sugar plantation slaves, and Boston's ladies of leisure-Carp illuminates how a determined group shook the foundations of a mighty empire, and what this has meant for Americans since. As he reveals many little-known historical facts and considers the Tea Party's uncertain legacy, he presents a compelling and expansive history of an iconic event in America's tempestuous past."--Jaquette List of Illustrations and Maps Acknowledgments Introduction: Teapot in a Tempest The Empire's Corporation "The Ringleader of All Violence" Tea and Scandal "Enemies to Their Country" The Detestable Tea Arrives The Destroyers at Griffin's Wharf "Resolute Men (Dressed as Mohawks)" Boycotting the Accursed Leaf Boston Bears the Blame Sugar, Slaves, and the Shadow of the Tea Party Conclusion: Secrecy and Legacy Appendix: Boston Tea Party Participants Abbreviations Notes Manuscript Sources Cited Further Reading Index