I never got a good answer to this- were they trying to frame the Indians for some reason? Is it some kind of metaphor? Did they do it just for kicks? Help.
2007-07-25 09:20:57 · 11 answers · asked by anon537 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
In a ridiculously poor attempt to direct suspicion elsewhere. The Mohawks (even though they didn't even bother with accuracy) were the most convenient.
2007-07-25 16:01:46 · answer #1 · answered by 34th B.G. - USAAF 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One of the most enduring images from the Boston Tea Party is of protesters dressed as American Indians, throwing crates of tea into the ocean. In fact, only some of mob wore disguises and many of them were just that -- disguises that didn't even represent Indian dress. Some people simply smeared soot on their faces or used what was available to hide their appearance. But there are some scholars who argue that the image of the Mohawk Indian was symbolic, representing oppressed peoples, and had been used in other anti-taxation, tea-destroying protests [source: Boston Tea Party]. The Sons of Liberty had previously used names of American Indian tribes. However, accounts from the time, such as in "The Massachusetts Gazette," indicate that the men were focused on concealing who they were [source: The Old South Meeting House]. And what appeared to be Indian weapons, such as tomahawks, had a practical use: opening the cargo containers so that the tea could be dumped into the harbor.
2016-05-18 03:11:08 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They Mohawk regalia was not to hide their identities if they were caught. The disguises were thin at best (just some light make-up) and most of the participants were high profile citizens of Boston (including Samual Adams, the founder of the the Sons of Liberty).
As for a more solid reason, I'm looking into it.
2007-07-25 09:48:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They knew the Brits would see right through the inane disguises and didn't care. They didn't even think the Brits would believe this Indian hoax. I think it was just to rub the Brits nose in what they were doing. And to show the Brits they were not afraid to do anything right under their noses.
2007-07-25 10:24:39 · answer #4 · answered by SgtMoto 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was to symbolize their increasing self-identification as Americans rather than as Englishmen living in America.
This comes from my college text book, Who Built America? Volume One: To 1877. Third Edition
2017-03-09 00:57:45 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for no other reason than to blame it on the Mohawks and they also figured there'd be no way for the brits to be able to definitely identify who among them did it and even that the tribe identity would be suspect. also, I THINK the brits didn't buy it since the mohawks had no motive for attacking tea. if anything they would have just killed everyone on board and set the ship on fire. If they were going to do anything in the city at all.
2007-07-25 09:40:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
yes, they were trying to frame the Indians if they got caught.
2007-07-25 09:34:14 · answer #7 · answered by Question Able 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
it may sound cruel and it was a rasicts thing, they did it because the indians were just an easy people to put their crime on
2007-07-25 10:33:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
to throw the English off.
2007-07-25 09:59:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
because if the british tried to blame the colonists, they couldn't be definite because everyone saw natives do it.
2007-07-25 10:35:23 · answer #10 · answered by H 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋