The Boston Massacre

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Discussion1

What started it?1

The Event and Aftermath3

Slaughter of Boston as Propaganda7

Conclusion8

Reference9

The Boston Massacre

Introduction

The title "The Boston Massacre" refers to one of the triggers of the American Revolution and the War of Independence, during which British soldiers fired on protesters in 1770. On March 5, 1770 a single act of violence changed America's destiny forever. What started as a snow ball fight initiated by a small group of young colonial brats, turned into the starting point of the American Revolution. The response to this tragic event truly gives definition to snowball effect. Arguably, the Boston Massacre is one of the best examples of the effects of sensationalism of any event of colonial America. The fact remains: five people lost their lives in Boston on the eve of March 5, 1770 - hardly a “massacre” by definition. However, due to the single-handed works of Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, the town got what it needed. The role of victim landed in the lap of Boston and the people had a reason to rebel. The legend of the Boston Massacre was born and, in dog-year speed, became the initial spark of the Revolution.

Given the proposed tax levy, certain groups of citizens of the colonies were a series of protests and demonstrations have witnessed a series of riots. The tension led military occupation of Boston. In one of those riots, the situation overcame the English soldiers, with the possible loss of control of the situation; they ended up firing at the mob crowding round. As a result, 5 people died. The soldiers were tried by a jury of settlers. Six of them were acquitted and two convicted of murder. The Boston Massacre was a resource used later as a propagandistic element, which expressed the power of expression of the working class. (Copeland, 2000)American reaction to the British imposed Stamp Act and Townsend Acts fueled the anti-British sentiment in Boston. The passage by parliament of the law known as the stamp act, and the attempt to carry it into effect, had raised a feeling throughout the colonies that was found to be injurious to the trade of England as to cause its repeal in March, 1766. This essay will discuss about the Boston Massacre, its reasons which started it and the event and its aftermath.

Discussion

What started it?

The Boston Massacre was one of the major tragedies in the United States history. Many people died fighting in the battles. The most important thing that was going on during the time was the colonists trying to get their independence. The British would not let it happen so it ended up in fighting. There were many reasons for the Boston Massacre occurring, such as the British invading the colonists space, the British trying to rule all the aspects of the colonists, and small fights caused by the British leading to the Massacre.

The colonists had their space invaded many times by the British. A few examples are: how the colonists were forced to let the British live ...