The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770 in Boston, Massachusetts on King Street. It started as a fight between the colonists and British soldiers. The colonists were angry over the Townshend Acts, which led to riots. It was important because it was a turning point in America’s quest for independence.
Who provoked the Boston Massacre?
There are varying accounts of what happened, but most people agree that the soldiers were provoked by a group of rowdy colonists and that someone yelled “fire” – though no one knows who.
Who was the aggressor of the Boston Massacre?
the British soldiers
Here are a few of the elements Paul Revere used in his engraving to shape public opinion: The British are lined up and an officer is giving an order to fire, implying that the British soldiers are the aggressors. The colonists are shown reacting to the British when in fact they had attacked the soldiers.
Who fired the first Boston Massacre?
Private Hugh Montgomery was the first British soldier to fire in the Boston Massacre. According to many historic documents, he was also identified by many witnesses in the trial as the man who killed Crispus Attucks.
What action started the Boston Massacre?
Tensions began to grow, and in Boston in February 1770 a patriot mob attacked a British loyalist, who fired a gun at them, killing a boy. In the ensuing days brawls between colonists and British soldiers eventually culminated in the Boston Massacre.
Why are the colonists to blame for the Boston Massacre?
The Boston Massacre lead to more tension for the revolutionary war. There were a lot people that could have been at fault on this day. The colonists are to blame because they were taunting the soldiers, throwing objects at the soldiers, and the colonist were upset with the stamp act.
What events helped trigger the Boston Massacre?
June 29, 1767 – the British Parliament Passes the Townshend Acts. The heavy presence of British troops in Boston that lead to the fatal shooting was the direct results of the Townshend Acts passed by British Parliament to impose additional taxes on common products imported into the Colonies.
What does Adams blame as the real cause of the incident?
What does Adams blame as the real cause of the incident? Impressment [the practice by the British of drafting colonists into the British navy] and the quartering of troops by the British were directly hurtful to the sailors and other working people.
What factors contributed to the Boston Massacre quizlet?
What events led to the Boston Massacre? Many Bostonians saw the presence of British troops as a threat by the British government against its critics in Massachusetts. Both side resented each other, and name-calling, arguments, and fights between Bostonians and the soldiers were common.
Why did John Adams call the Boston Massacre?
John Adams, who volunteered the represent the British soldiers out of a sense of civc duty, referred to the Boston Massacre as a “motley rabble of saucy boys, Negroes and mulattoes, Irish teagues and outlandish jacktars.”
Did John Adams refuse to defend British soldiers?
Although a devout patriot, John Adams agreed to risk his family’s livelihood and defend the British soldiers and their commander in a Boston courtroom. At stake was not just the fate of nine men, but the relationship between the motherland and her colonies on the eve of American Revolution.
What disease did John Adams have?
essential tremor
Since age 25, Adams had suffered from a hand tremor which he called “quiveration.” He passed this familial “essential tremor”, a genetic disorder, along to his son, John Quincy Adams, who grew up to become the nation’s sixth president. Adam’s tremor worsened under the stress of his new government responsibilities.
Who was involved in the Boston Massacre?
The Boston Massacre was a street fight that occurred on March 5, 1770, between a “patriot” mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. Several colonists were killed and this led to a campaign by speech-writers to rouse the ire of the citizenry.
What is one cause and one effect of the Boston Massacre?
In the massacre, the British soldiers shot down several colonists provoking the start of the American Revolution. The Boston massacre caused a rise in the American Revolution because it was a random outburst of violence shown by British troops.
Did John Adams want to stay neutral?
President George Washington, believing the US should steer clear of foreign entanglements, declared that the United States would stay neutral. President John Adams also wished to remain neutral.
How many of the British soldiers were found guilty?
Six of the soldiers were acquitted; the other two were convicted of manslaughter and given reduced sentences. The two found guilty of manslaughter were sentenced to branding on their hand.
How did the Boston Massacre start quizlet?
The Boston Massacre began the evening of March 5, 1770 with a small argument between British Private Hugh White and a few colonists outside the Custom House in Boston on King Street. The argument began to escalate as more colonists gathered and began to harass and throw sticks and snowballs at Private White.
What was the Boston Massacre short answer?
The Boston Massacre was a street fight that occurred on March 5, 1770, between a “patriot” mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. Several colonists were killed and this led to a campaign by speech-writers to rouse the ire of the citizenry.
What did the Tea Act do?
In an effort to save the troubled enterprise, the British Parliament passed the Tea Act in 1773. The act granted the company the right to ship its tea directly to the colonies without first landing it in England, and to commission agents who would have the sole right to sell tea in the colonies.