USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -All of the Townshend Acts-except for the tax on tea-were repealed in April 1770. The tax on tea would remain a flashpoint and a contributing factor to the Boston Tea Party of 1773, in which angry colonists destroyed an entire shipment of tea in Boston Harbor.

Detailed explanation-2: -In March 1770, most of the taxes from the Townshend Acts were repealed by Parliament under Frederick, Lord North. However, the import duty on tea was retained in order to demonstrate to the colonists that Parliament held the sovereign authority to tax its colonies, in accordance with the Declaratory Act 1766.

Detailed explanation-3: -To help pay the expenses involved in governing the American colonies, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts, which initiated taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea.

Detailed explanation-4: -Also on March 5, Townshend’s successor (he had died soon after proposing the hated act), Lord Frederick North, asked Parliament to repeal the Townshend Acts except for the duty on tea; he considered all the duties bad for trade and, thus, expensive for the British empire.

Detailed explanation-5: -Although portions of the Townshend Acts were repealed, the tax on tea and special indemnity awarded to the British East India Company was retained. The 1773 Tea Act enabled the company to import tea directly into the Colonies, which furthered harmed Colonial shipping companies.