This Day in the Law
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March 31

Boston Port Act Passed (1774)


On March 31, 1774, Great Britain passed the Boston Port Act. The Boston Port Act outlawed the use of the Port of Boston, Massachusetts by setting up a barricade restricting all ships from entering or exiting the port.

The Boston Port Act was Britain’s response to the Boston Tea Party, which took place in December of 1773, and involved groups of colonists in Boston protesting the taxation on tea by throwing three shiploads of tea into Boston Harbor. On March 31, 1774, Britain ruled that the Port of Boston would remain closed until the money that was lost (estimated at £10,000) was repayed to the King’s treasury and damages were repayed to the British East India Company.

The Port of Boston was a major source of supplies for the citizens of Massachusetts, and the closing of the port created many problems. In support, other colonies sent relief supplies to the settlers. Though Britain sought to assert its control over the colonies through the passing of the Boston Port Act, the result of the act was the first step in the unification of the thirteen colonies. In fact, the Boston Port Act was a direct catalyst to the American Revolution.