Boston
Tea Party: A Public Relations Event?
Last week’s blog post about media pseudo events
explored the basic tenets behind promotion-related activities designed to get media
attention.
This post looks more closely at one event in
particular: The Boston Tea Party.
British Americans opposed to the Tea Act of 1773 which
levied heavy taxes upon the colonists who felt they had no parliamentary representation.
They felt that only elected representatives could pass tax increases.
To demonstrate – or protest publicly – the “Sons of
Liberty” destroyed an entire shipment of East India Company tea in the Boston
Harbor. Similar protests took place in
three other colonies.
The British Government responded via the Coercive Act
in 1774 by putting a halt to Boston business. Unfortunately, it only fueled the colonists to
revolt.
The Boston Tea Party was a politically motivated media
event. The goal was to show colonist determination to be self-governed. Participants ‘promoted’ their efforts by singing
about the protest in the streets and the government posted public notices
denouncing them around town.
Related Articles:
No comments:
Post a Comment