Why did colonists refuse to buy tea under the Tea Act of 1773?

The refusal of colonists to buy tea under the Tea Act of 1773 is primarily rooted in their objection to recognizing Parliament's right to impose taxes on them without representation. This act was perceived as another instance of Britain exerting control over the colonies through taxation, leading to widespread discontent. The Tea Act allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies, effectively undercutting local merchants and reinforcing the idea that the British government could control trade and tax colonial goods unilaterally.

Colonial leaders utilized this issue to rally public sentiment against British rule, arguing that taxation without representation was unjust. This refusal to purchase tea became emblematic of the broader struggle for independence and led to events such as the Boston Tea Party, where colonists protested by destroying a shipment of tea. Thus, the basis of their actions was more than just an economic decision; it was a significant political stance against British authority and policies perceived as tyrannical.