Boston Massacre

What is it?

The Boston Massacre happened on March 5, 1770. It was the killing of five colonists by British militia.The Massacre was the 1770, pre-Revolutionary incident growing out of the anger against the British troops sent to Boston to maintain order and to enforce the Townshend Acts.

Events Leading to the Boston Massacre

In June 29, 1767 the British Parliament passed the Townshend Acts. This directly caused the heavy presence of the British army in AmericaOn October 1, 1768 a group of British regulars arrived in Boston, MA to maintain order.The civilians reacted to the redcoats like they were invaders by taunting them through name calling, spitting, and fighting.The people of Boston had gained control of the reigns of power and prevented the soldiers from carrying out their duties. Tension continues to build up.

On That Day...

On March 5, 1770 the Twenty-Ninth Regiment came to the relief of the Eighth on duty at the Customs House on King (now State) Street. They were lead by Captain Thomas Preston. THe army were mey and taunted by a large crowd of civilians. As the crowd chanted "Fire and be damned," Preston ordered his troops to do not fire. However, due to the loud commotion, the troops probably didn't hear his order; they began to open fire, killing 3 men and two die later.

Features to the Boston Massacre

• 5 men were killedo 3 outright and 2 later on

• One of these men was Crispus Attucks, a man who was black or Indian

•  Crispus Atticus was the leader of the crowd.• Captin Thomas Preston and eight of his men were charged with

manslaughter of these colonist.• The title "massacre" was started with the help of Paul Revere and

an engraving of his.• Only two of the men accused of manslaughter were convicted not

including the Captin.• As a consequence of the clash, the soldiers were branded on their

hands and then released afterwards. 

Facts and Features Continued

• There were different views on why and how the Boston Massacre started.

• Paul Revere portrayed the Boston Massacre (in his artwork) as the British shooting the peaceful colonists.

• Paul Revere did not include Crispus Attucks in his portrayal. The point of this piece of propoganda was to show everyone the injustice against other colonists.

• Another piece of propoganda that was released in 1856 served another purpose, and it mainly focused on Crispus Attucks who fought for his freedom during the struggle.

•  There were two trials for the massacre, one for Captain Preston and the other for the rest of the soldiers.

Effects of the Boston Massacre

• The Boston Massacre became a turning point in the beginnings of the American Revolution.

•  The massacre helped to spark desire of indepedence from American colonists and also thought of the colonists killed as martyrs of freedom.

•  A hatred towards Britain rose in the colonies because of the massacre.

• After the Boston Massacre, propoganda (mostly artwork) were displayed to show the different views on the massacre. Paul Revere thought it was an event where armed soldier shot at peaceful citizens.

• The committee of correspondence was established to spread resistance and opposition towards Britain.

• Colonies became more united.