The History of Boston spans four hundred years. It has been the home of one of the most important American history events in the Boston Tea Party. During most of its history it was the central port for commerce for the entirety of New England. It later came to be a central part of racial tensions in America between poor Irish and blacks. Today Boston has one of the world’s biggest economies. Unlike the Kennecott Mines, Boston's diverse economy was able to withstand the various rises and falls in trade. 2
Early Boston Economy & The Boston Tea Party
Boston was home to the biggest economy in all of New England. All trade that came through New England was most likely from Boston. Boston had complete control over all of New England trade. Boston was home to the biggest economy in all of New England. All trade that came through New England was most likely from Boston. Boston had complete control over all of New England trade. 1.
Boston’s economic influence over all of New England gave it a high standing in all affairs of trade. The hub of trade in New England was also the hub of the Atlantic slave trade. The Boston economy, and the New England Economy for that matter thrived with the growth of the Triangle Trade. The 17th and 18th century saw Boston as the center of slave trade.2 If you would like to read more about slavery in the colonies you can do that here. During the earlier years of the 18th century, abolitionist movements began to grow. Some slaves became recognized for their work, an example would be one from lecture with Phillis Wheatley.3 The economy of Boston and New England was not dependent on the slave trade as much as the southern states were.
Most people think of Boston Harbor and think of the Boston Tea Party. “NO taxation without representation” was the motto from that event. What took place was a group of American dressing up as Indians and throwing tea into the harbor. What followed was a harsh British response. The Intolerable Acts was the follow up to the Boston Tea Party. The British also went on to occupy Boston.
What most don’t know is that almost all the Tea consumed in New York, and Philadelphia and a majority of Boston’s at the time was smuggled into the country. The Dutch were heavily involved in the smuggling in of illegal tea. Much of the tea going into New York and Philadelphia were controlled by Dutch smugglers. 4 Though the Dutch did not control many colonies, they were able to exert a ton of power through smuggling across the Atlantic. Dutch refusal to become involved in the imperial wars of the eighteenth century would sometimes allow for a healthy income from smuggling into other countries colonies. 5 Together, the Dutch, the British, and British Americans had helped build an interconnected Atlantic system that relied on slavery, staple crops, shipping, and commerce. 6 The Dutch helped push the Bostonians to the Boston Tea Party. The Dutch tea flowing into New York and Philadelphia helped quell the possible uprising in these colonies. The heaviest smuggling was coming through to New York and Philadelphia thus it would have been in the Dutch’s best interest to keep the movement in Boston. 7 After the Boston Tea Party, British cracked down on the colonies, especially Boston. The Harbor was forced to shut down, though this hurt all Bostonians not only the Sons of Liberty. The British filled the Harbor with ships and troops and shut all trade down.
Boston’s economic influence over all of New England gave it a high standing in all affairs of trade. The hub of trade in New England was also the hub of the Atlantic slave trade. The Boston economy, and the New England Economy for that matter thrived with the growth of the Triangle Trade. The 17th and 18th century saw Boston as the center of slave trade.2 If you would like to read more about slavery in the colonies you can do that here. During the earlier years of the 18th century, abolitionist movements began to grow. Some slaves became recognized for their work, an example would be one from lecture with Phillis Wheatley.3 The economy of Boston and New England was not dependent on the slave trade as much as the southern states were.
Most people think of Boston Harbor and think of the Boston Tea Party. “NO taxation without representation” was the motto from that event. What took place was a group of American dressing up as Indians and throwing tea into the harbor. What followed was a harsh British response. The Intolerable Acts was the follow up to the Boston Tea Party. The British also went on to occupy Boston.
What most don’t know is that almost all the Tea consumed in New York, and Philadelphia and a majority of Boston’s at the time was smuggled into the country. The Dutch were heavily involved in the smuggling in of illegal tea. Much of the tea going into New York and Philadelphia were controlled by Dutch smugglers. 4 Though the Dutch did not control many colonies, they were able to exert a ton of power through smuggling across the Atlantic. Dutch refusal to become involved in the imperial wars of the eighteenth century would sometimes allow for a healthy income from smuggling into other countries colonies. 5 Together, the Dutch, the British, and British Americans had helped build an interconnected Atlantic system that relied on slavery, staple crops, shipping, and commerce. 6 The Dutch helped push the Bostonians to the Boston Tea Party. The Dutch tea flowing into New York and Philadelphia helped quell the possible uprising in these colonies. The heaviest smuggling was coming through to New York and Philadelphia thus it would have been in the Dutch’s best interest to keep the movement in Boston. 7 After the Boston Tea Party, British cracked down on the colonies, especially Boston. The Harbor was forced to shut down, though this hurt all Bostonians not only the Sons of Liberty. The British filled the Harbor with ships and troops and shut all trade down.
Post Civil War Boston
The Harbor saw much growth throughout its time. Though the Revolutionary War destroyed much of colonial America’s economy, Boston was able to thrive after because of its already extensive trade networks globally. The Boston Harbor and its Port grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution. 8 The growth of Boston’s industrial section allowed for trade with not only foreign countries, but also with the fellow states. The flow of material goods and manufactured products helped grow Boston’s economy all through the Indudstrial Revoultion through the 1920s. Throughout most of Boston's history, both the port of Boston and the port of New York have been at odds. Both are home to large metropolitan cities with powerful global ties. 9 They were both homes to large industrial centers during America's Industrial Revolution. Boston had an advantage with its large dry dock.10 This is why ship building in Boston became so popular in the 19-20th century. Boston and New York constantly fought over the strength of their port. When one would upgrade, the other would follow. 11 Though Boston was still a powerful economic city, it was overtaken by New York.
Boston is known for its large Irish Catholic population. Many Irish came to Boston during the Potato Famine of the 1840s to 1850s. Even today the Irish play a big Role in politics. Many people still recognize the Irish of Boston with the Kennedy family. The most recent survey in 2011 had Irish making up around 16% of the population of Boston with the next closest ethnic group ( Italians) coming in near 8%. 12 The change in demographics over the years in Boston in fascinating and can be read up on more here. During the 1970s when much of America was torn over racial tension Boston became another city that saw violence because of this. There was an influx of black workers into Boston from the South. The Black population grew by almost ten percent from the early 1970s to the 1990s. The percentage went from 16% to about 25%. 13 This was a huge scare to poor White Irishmen who were competing with blacks over the same jobs. Blacks were often forced out of white neighborhood, or were not sold property in that area. Tensions reached a peak in 1975 when Boston desegregated its education system which caused riots and racial protests. This eventually led to a white flight to the suburbs and the growth of the greater Boston area.14 Though today Boston is still made up of about half whites, Hispanics are growing much faster than any other ethnic group. Some believe that the busing of students to other schools to improve diversity is a waste of tax payer money. 15
Boston is known for its large Irish Catholic population. Many Irish came to Boston during the Potato Famine of the 1840s to 1850s. Even today the Irish play a big Role in politics. Many people still recognize the Irish of Boston with the Kennedy family. The most recent survey in 2011 had Irish making up around 16% of the population of Boston with the next closest ethnic group ( Italians) coming in near 8%. 12 The change in demographics over the years in Boston in fascinating and can be read up on more here. During the 1970s when much of America was torn over racial tension Boston became another city that saw violence because of this. There was an influx of black workers into Boston from the South. The Black population grew by almost ten percent from the early 1970s to the 1990s. The percentage went from 16% to about 25%. 13 This was a huge scare to poor White Irishmen who were competing with blacks over the same jobs. Blacks were often forced out of white neighborhood, or were not sold property in that area. Tensions reached a peak in 1975 when Boston desegregated its education system which caused riots and racial protests. This eventually led to a white flight to the suburbs and the growth of the greater Boston area.14 Though today Boston is still made up of about half whites, Hispanics are growing much faster than any other ethnic group. Some believe that the busing of students to other schools to improve diversity is a waste of tax payer money. 15
Green Boston
Boston’s Harbor has been a hub of transit and trade for its whole existence. With the growth of Boston and the increased traffic coming from all over the country and world, the Harbor itself began to deteriorate. This has led to an extremely polluted water. 16 Fishing in Boston has been a mainstay of the economy. With the growing pollution and also growth in population, the fish, mostly cod, have suffered. The Massachusetts government has put a restriction on the fishing industry in Boston, restricting when, how much, and where fishermen can catch. This has put a serious damper on the fishing industry in Boston. You can read more about the fishing troubles here . 17 Though Boston is trying to clean up the Harbor they may do it in ways that hurt the local economy and do not help the environment. The wildlife has suffered greatly here and Boston has been working for over 20 years to fix this. This has spurred Boston into becoming one of the fastest growing Green economies. This means Boston is actively building more sustainable housing and energy facilities as well as cleaning up pollution in the Harbor. 18 The problem with growing a green economy is that many investor both public and private do not see the immediate pay out thus are dissuaded from doing so. Boston has fought through the struggle of politics. Today Boston is one of the most green cities in America and Massachusetts is the most green state in the Union. Part of the driving force behind the expansion on the green economy and the advancement of green technology is the massive amount of college in the Boston area.
Boston "Sports"
What would Boston be with its iconic sports teams? Sports are always a big part of a city's spirit and usually their economy. Boston has been home to some of the greatest teams of all time across sports. The city of Boston has a very deep and almost spiritual tie to its teams. The die-hard Red Sox fans to the (some would say obnoxious) Patriot fans to the Celtics fans and who can forget the Bruins, all these teams have some of the most loyal fans in all of sports. Michigan’s own Tom Brady has led to New England Patriots to six Super Bowls winning four of them including the latest 49th Super Bowl. The Bruins have a extremely rich fan base and won a Stanley Cup in 2011. Finally the Boston Celtics, one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. The Celtics have had legends like Bill Russel, Larry Bird, Bob Cousy, and Paul Pierce. They have won 17 NBA championships. Not only are these teams successful, but they also rank as some of the highest valued teams in their respective leagues. The New England Patriots are worth approximately 1.4 Billion dollars. 19 The Bruins are the 5th most valued franchise in the NHL and are worth $302 Million. 20 The Celtics are forth in the NBA with $452 million. 21 All of them cannot hold a candle to the Boston Red Sox who are valued at $2.1 Billion. 22 Being a New Jersey native I have grown up a die-hard Yankee fan, a loyal Giants fan, a playoff loving Devils fan, and a big time Nets fan. These central facts of mine have put me at odds with Boston and its so called "sports" team. So just to rub this in...Yankees are worth 3.2 billion...
- Fitz H. Lane [1]. Gloucester, Massachusetts 1804 - 1865 Gloucester, Massachusetts. View of the Town of Gloucester, Mass., 1835 - 1836. Lithograph, 18 13/16 x 24 ½ in. Boston: Printed by Pendleton’s Lithography. Gift of the New England Historical Art Society, 1950.
- Cronin, William, George Miles, and Jay Gitlin. Under an Open Sky: Rethinking America's Western Past. New York: Norton Publishing, 1992.
- Valeri, Mark. "William Petty in Boston: Political Econonmy, Religion, and Money in Provincial New England." Journal of Early American Studies 8, no. 3 (2012)
- Harper, Douglass. "Slavery in Massachusetts". Slavery in the North
- Jones, Martha. "The Atlantic Slave Trade and the Making of the Modern World." Lecture for History 238 at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, April 6, 2015.
- Mark Valeri. "William Petty in Boston: Political Economy, Religion, and Money in Provincial New England." Early American Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal 8.3 (2010): 549-580.Project MUSE. Web. 16 Apr. 2015
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Massachusetts. Commission on Economy and Efficiency. (191316). Annual report of the Commission on Economy and Efficiency. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., State Printers.
- "A Penny-Wise Economy on Boston Harbor." Boston Daily Globe, April 3, 1916.
- Ibid
- Ibid
- "Massachusetts - Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990". U.S. Census Bureau.
- Ibid
- Landsmark, Ted. "It's Time to End Busing in Boston." Boston Globe, January 31, 2009. Accessed April 17, 2015.
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Weinbaum, Paul. Hoosac Docks, Foreign Trade Terminal : A Case of the Expanding Transpiration System Late in the Nineteenth Century. Boston, Massachusetts: Division of Cultural Resources, National Park Service, U.S., 1985
- Elias, Jonathan. "Fishing Industry At Risk Of Disappearing In New England." CBS Boston. Accessed April 17, 2015.
- Gibbs, David, and Kirstie O'Neill. "The Green Economy, Sustainability Transitions and Transition Regions: A Case Study of Boston." Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human Geography 96, no. 3 (2014): 201-16.
- "Sports Teams Evaluations." Forbes. Accessed April 17, 2015.
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Keating, Peter. "Why Boston Is Better than You." ESPN, September 23, 2011.