Boston Massacre

Categories: Social Science | US History

  • The Boston Massacre was a 1770 incident during which British troops stationed in Boston opened fire on a crowd of unarmed civilians, killing five. The event helped to galvanize colonial opposition to British rule.

  • Background

    Colonial resentment to the stationing of a large garrison of British troops in Boston had been building since the end of the French and Indian War in 1768. The incident began over an argument concerning a barber's bill between a British soldier and a young apprentice. After another soldier struck the apprentice, Edward Gerrish, in the head with his musket, a crowd of 300 to 400 gathered and some began throwing snowballs at the troops. Amidst confusion, the soldiers began to fire into the crowd, hitting eleven men, killing three instantly. The soldiers were arrested, and future Founding Father and President John Adams, then a lawyer, was their defense attorney. Six of the officers were acquitted, and two were found guilty of manslaughter.

  • Repercussions

    While hostilities would quiet over the next few years, the massacre served as a powerful reminder of the differences between the British and the colonists. The event was immortalized in a print distributed and reproduced by Paul Revere, and served as an inspiration for growing Patriot Movement.

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