Which event is often credited with sparking the American Revolution?

The Boston Tea Party is often viewed as a pivotal event that fueled the revolutionary fervor leading up to the American Revolution. In December 1773, American colonists, protesting against British taxation without representation, boarded ships and dumped an entire shipment of tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance was not only a protest against the Tea Act but also represented a broader resistance to British rule and policies that were seen as unjust.

The reaction from Britain was significant, as it led to the Intolerable Acts, which further inflamed tensions between the colonies and the British government. Many historians see the Boston Tea Party as a catalyst that unified various colonial factions against British authority, setting the stage for greater resistance and ultimately the desire for independence.

While events like the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Battle of Lexington were critical to the Revolution, they occurred after the Boston Tea Party had already galvanized public sentiment. The Boston Massacre also played a role in stirring anti-British sentiments, but the Tea Party is particularly highlighted for its direct action against British policies.