The Boston Massacre

Question 1

When was the Boston Massacre?

Answer 1

The same day the Townshend Acts were repealed, March 5, 1770.

Question 2

What happened to build up to the Boston Massacre?

Answer 2

• Parliament sent four regiments to Boston which only stirred more trouble
• the bostonians resented the “lobsterbacks”
• Bostonians became more confident in their revolts b/c the soldiers were not allowed to fire on citizens

Question 3

What actually was the Boston Massacre?

Answer 3

• a mob began to provoke troops stationed in front of the Customs house by throwing ice balls at them and saying “fire if you dare”
• when a soldier was knocked to the ground, the British panicked and fired on the mob
• the mob only went home after being told that the soldiers would be tried for murder

Question 4

How did colonists react?

Answer 4

Samuel Adams had Paul Revere make an engraving depicting British soldiers firing on innocent citizens. Patriots saw it as a sign that British troops should be removed from Boston, loyalists saw it as a reason for the troops to stay in Boston.

Question 5

How did the soldiers fare?

Answer 5

John Adams defended the soldiers because he believed everyone had right to a trial. Only two out of the eight guilty of manslaughter.