Tea+&+the+British+Empire


 * < Political || Because of the popularity of tea in Britain and The East India Trading Company's monopoly on the tea trade. British influence and power increased exponetially because of the search for tea. As a direct result from the lucrative profit off of the tea trade, Britain became the dominant power in the world. Also, China, as a direct result of the huge demand for tea, became a battleground for colonial powers. Also, the British desire for profits off of tea led the government to impose the Tea Act which was the breaking point for American Revolutionaries. ||
 * < Economic || Because of the European (especially British) demand for tea, the British economic control in the east grew exponentially through the autonomous power that was the East India Trading Company. Brick tea was also used as a form of currency in China because of its lightweight and its value. Tea also improved worker output and health during the Industrial Revolution by keeping them awake and preventing disease. ||
 * < Religious || Buddhists and Taoists monks used tea as an aid to meditation because of it's invigorating effects. ||
 * < Social || In Japan and China the use of tea for parties became huge customs that brought people together around tea. Similarly t he introduction of tea into British society began a tradition of tea parties based around the traditions in China and Japan that had enormous popularity and the greater extravagance of the party was a factor in social status. Also, the huge demand for tea from China completely brought around the downfall of chinese society and the exploitation of their national resources. ||
 * < Intellectual || The use of tea and its affects on the mind stimulated intellectual discussion and debate at tea parties, similar to the affects of the coffeehouse. Also, the antibacterial properties of tea were extremely important in purifiying water and prevented the spread of waterborne diseases. ||
 * < Artistic || The use of tea and the popularity of tea parties led to the growing popularity of fine china to serve tea in and the serving of tea in beautiful gardens across both Britain and East Asia. ||



ORANGE: Diffusion of Tea
-Originated in China



"The drink that had already lubricated China's immense empire could then conquer vast new territories: Having won over the British, tea spread throughout the world and became the most widely consumed beverage on Earth after water. The story of tea is the story of imperialism, industrialization, and world domination, one cup at a time." (pages 176-177)

"The Japanese tea ceremony was the very pinnacle of tea culture, the result of taking a drink from southern Asia, imbuing it with a diverse range of cultural and religious influences, and filtering it through hundreds of years of accumulated customs and rituals." (page 184)

"Tea had reached around the world from the world's oldest empire and planted itself at the hear of the newest. As they drank their cups of tea at home, the British were reminded of the extent and might of their empire overseas. The rise of tea was entangled with the growth of Britain as a world power and set the stage for further expansion of its commercial and imperial might." (pages 196-197)

"The marketing of tea and tea paraphernalia laid the first foundations of consumerism." (page 202)

"America's enthusiasm for coffee over tea is often mistakenly attributed to the Tea Act and the symbolic rejection of tea at the Boston Tea Party. But while British tea was shunned during the Revolutionary War, the American colonists' enthusiasm for the drink was undimmed, prompting them to go to great trouble to find local alternatives. Some brewed "Liberty Tea" from four-leaved loosestrife; others drank "Balm Tea" made from ribwort, currant leaves, and sage. Putting up with such tea, despite its unpleasant taste, was a way for American drinkers to display their patriotism." (page 220)

WHAT, YOU MEAN THIS TIMELINE?



http://www.lasalle.edu/~mcinneshin/251/wk06/images/w/mapteaCultvNspread.gif
 * Works Cited:**

[]

http://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Boston-Tea-Party-Currier-public-domain-e1353934381258.jpg

[]