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Arrival of Tea in the West
Historically the Dutch and the Portuguese had a strong trade relationship
with China, and at the beginning of the 17th century, the Dutch and the
Portuguese sailors brought tea to Britain and Holland at the outset, where
it was sold at auctions and became very popular among the aristocracy and
the wealthy.
On contrary, the initial high prices of the tea prevented
its mobilisation amongst the western population at large. The import and
export of tea was the most significant factor in establishing bold linkage
between the east and the west. Moreover, tea there grew to popularity
through the medium of trade which gave boost for many technological
developments as in the development of fast sail boats such as “Clipper”
which made it possible to provide shipments of fresh tea to the west within
a short time of sail from China to Europe.
Many British companies established for importing tea such
as the “John Company” and the “East India Trade Company” became trade
tycoons unprecedented in size and power, and was ordained by the royals. At
the beginning of 18th century, with the rise in the expansion of tea imports
to the west and the consequent decrease in its price, tea became a common
product entertained by all sectors of the population which directly vested
the companies with the authority to access and ensure the continuous supply
of the popular drink.
Tea Reaches America: The Boston Tea Party
At the early 18th century, tea was introduced in Northern America and soon
it became a desirable drink there as well. At around that time, in Boston
and New York, London-style tea houses crept in with impetuous speed, where
the drink was sold to the general public. With its prominence soaring high,
the British Empire decided to levy taxes on the tea supplied to the colonies
of North America who were under their power then. Such an intention waved
flames of anger amongst the American settlers who boycotted the tax-system
in protest. They held strict observation upon every British ship that
arrived at the harbors laden with tea which coaxed the ships to leave
without unloading their commodities. In this regard, the most famous
existence was named the “Boston tea party” during which a group of settlers
anchored in the Boston harbor and started throwing away all the crates of
tea from its deck into the sea. As a result, England sent its military
forces to the harbor and shut it down. This event gave birth to the American
war of independence. |
