Historian A: Gordon S. Wood – Political / Revolutionary Perspective

"Historian Gordon S. Wood argues that the Boston Tea Party was primarily a political act of defiance against British authority. He emphasizes the importance of colonial identity and the desire for self-governance. Wood suggests that the event was driven by colonial resistance to taxation without representation, and it symbolized the colonies' determination to assert their rights against imperial control. This act was a culmination of ongoing tensions over political authority and colonial independence."

Historian B: Barbara Clark – Economic Perspective

"Historian Barbara Clark contends that the Boston Tea Party was mainly motivated by economic factors. She highlights the importance of trade restrictions and the economic impact of the Tea Act on colonial merchants and consumers. Clark argues that economic grievances, such as the loss of profits and economic control, played a key role in provoking the protest. She views the event as a response to economic oppression rather than solely political resistance."