What did the Boston Tea Party protest against?

The Boston Tea Party, which occurred on December 16, 1773, was a pivotal event in American history that protested against British taxation without representation. Colonists were frustrated over being taxed by the British Parliament, where they had no representatives to advocate for their interests. The Tea Act of 1773 allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies at a reduced tax, effectively undermining local merchants. The colonists viewed this as a direct attempt to impose British control and exert taxation without their consent, culminating in the dramatic act of dumping an entire shipment of tea into Boston Harbor. This protest symbolized the broader grievances of the colonists and helped rally support for the American Revolution by emphasizing the principle that governance should be based on consent and representation.