Answer: The monopoly hurt colonists at all levels of society. Because the tea Act allowed the East Indian company to name its own sales agents to distribute the tea in American ports, business for local merchants and middlemen decreased. The Act offended politicians and patriots, who saw it as an attempt by parliament to tax them without their consent. Even smugglers who included wealthy merchants such as John Hancock 17371793 were hurt because it made East Indian tea competitive with or cheaper more than dutch tea party.
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