Boston Massacre

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1770 confrontation in Boston, Massachusetts

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Date	March 5, 1770
Location	Boston, Province of Massachusetts Bay
Caused by
Objectives
Methods
Resulted in
Concessions

The Boston Massacre was a confrontation that occurred on March 5, 1770, in which British soldiers shot and killed several people while being harassed by a mob in Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The event is considered a significant precursor to the American Revolution.

Background

Tensions had been building since the British government imposed the Townshend Acts in 1767, which placed a tax on common products imported into the American colonies, such as paper, glass, and tea. The presence of British troops in Boston, intended to enforce these unpopular laws, further inflamed the situation.

The Incident

On the evening of March 5, 1770, a crowd of colonists gathered around a group of British soldiers. The crowd began to taunt and throw snowballs at the soldiers. The situation escalated, and the soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five men: Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, James Caldwell, Samuel Maverick, and Patrick Carr. Six others were injured.

Aftermath

The incident was heavily publicized by leading Patriots such as Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, who used it to fuel anti-British sentiment. The soldiers involved were arrested and charged with murder. They were defended by future President John Adams, who argued that they had acted in self-defense. Six of the soldiers were acquitted, while two were convicted of manslaughter and given reduced sentences.

Legacy

The Boston Massacre is often cited as a pivotal event leading up to the American Revolution. It helped to unite the colonies against Britain and was used as a powerful propaganda tool by the Patriots. The event is commemorated annually in Boston.

Related Pages

• American Revolution
• Townshend Acts
• Crispus Attucks
• Paul Revere
• Samuel Adams
• John Adams
• Province of Massachusetts Bay

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