Old South Meeting House
Tea and Taxation
The Old South Meeting House, constructed by Puritans in the 1700s, holds a crucial place in American history, notably linked to the Boston Tea Party. This historic landmark played a pivotal role in shaping the events leading up to this significant moment.
Meetings on Taxation: A Gathering Storm
The Old South Meeting House hosted illegal but necessary discussions on taxing tea and other commodities, with the fourth meeting on December 16, 1773, marking a turning point for the growing dissent against taxation. This meeting was attended by approximately 5,000 people, all of which were dissatisfied with the unjust taxation.
The Turning Point: News from the Harbor
During the December 16th meeting, news arrived that the Dartmouth, loaded with taxable tea, wouldn't leave the harbor without unloading. This realization fueled urgency among attendees, prompting a collective understanding that a different course of action was necessary.
Setting the Stage: The Old South Meeting House and the Boston Tea Party
The Old South Meeting House, playing a pivotal role, provided a platform for dissatisfaction, setting the stage for the Boston Tea Party—a landmark event that echoed the sentiments of the colonists and fueled the movement towards independence.
old south meeting house
Skip
Why couldn't the attendees at the Old South Meeting House on December 16, 1773 openly discuss their plans during the meeting?
It was against the law.
They didn't all speak English.
There were spies present.