On December 16, 1773, the colonists of Boston threw 342 chests of English East India Company tea into Boston Harbor, an act we remember as the “Boston Tea Party.” Have you ever wondered what drove the Bostonians to destroy the tea? Or whether they considered any other less destructive options for their protest? Mary Beth Norton, the Mary Donlon Alger Professor of American History at Cornell University, takes us through the Tea Crisis of 1773.   About the Series Episodes in the “Doing History: To the Revolution” series explore the American Revolution and how what we know about it and how our view of it has changed over time. Episodes will air in 2017. The “Doing History” series is part of a partnership between Ben Franklin’s World and the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture. Be sure to check out season 1, “Doing History: How Historians Work.”   Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/048   Helpful Show Links OI Reader Tablet app for extra "Doing History" articles and guides   Ben Franklin's World Facebook Page Join the Ben Franklin's World Community Sign-up for the Franklin Gazette Newsletter Ben Franklin's World iOS App Ben Franklin's World Android App   Complementary Episodes Episode 088: Michael McDonnell, The History of History Writing Episode 098: Gautham Rao, Brith of the American Tax Man Episode 105: Joshua Piker, How Historians Publish History Episode 106: Jane Kamensky, The World of John Singleton Copley Episode 111: Jonathan Eacott, India in the Making of Britain and America, 1700-1830 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices