Boston Tea Party Image Analysis

This activity can be used as an introduction to the road to independence during a unit on the American Revolution. For grades 4-8.

Present the activity to the entire class. Notice that initially, the image is cropped to reveal only a small group of people. Ask students to describe the image and try to determine what is happening. (The drawing is a lithograph called “The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor” that was created in 1846.)

Ask students to record as many observations (setting, people, and objects) as possible from the image. Encourage students to pay attention to specific details in the image (such as the flag on the ship). Remind students to look at the whole visible area for context clues; even the smallest details may reveal the answer.

Ask students to record their observations according to the following:

• What I See
• What I Think
• Questions I Have

Once students have recorded their observations, click “Switch View” to reveal more of the document and have students complete the same questions again:

• What I See
• What I Think
• Questions I Have

Engage students in a whole-class discussion about the inferences they made while observing the image. One inference students might make is: “Colonists are gathered together in anger or excitement as they watch Native Americans throw crates off British ships into the water.”

Ask students what questions they have. Some possible questions include:

• What is in the crates on the British ships?
• Why would Native Americans throw these crates overboard?
• Why would groups of colonists gather to watch this event?

Click on “View Entire Document” to reveal the full title. Discuss the following questions with students. These questions provide the opportunity to discuss the difference between primary and secondary sources.

• How does the caption help explain the historical event in question? What clues did you notice that helped point you in the right direction?
• This image is from 1846. How accurate do you think it may be to the actual event from the 1770s? Why do you think its different?

Debrief with students by discussing their answers to the questions provided, as well as to the questions they came up with. (For example, explain that colonists disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians when they boarded the ship.)

This activity was adapted from “Boston Tea Party” in the New York City Department of Education’s Passport to Social Studies, Grade 7, Unit 2, Lesson 7 (pg. 127-129).