Boston Massacre by Katherine Lynn, last updated 5/25/98

mob riot or soldier riot?
March 5, 1770 in front of Boston Common House
hardly a massacre, more like a street fight between British soldiers quartered in Boston and a noisy wild gang of colonists
British troops had been quartered in Boston ever since the quartering act in 1768; this might have been what sparked the massacre (forced colonists to keep them in their homes which made them even more angry with the British)
group of citizens were throwing stones and snowballs at British soldiers, 8 other soldiers came to his aide
someone heard "fire" so the mob came forward with sticks, the soldiers got scared so they fired into the unarmed crowd killing 5 citzens and wounding 7
Crispus Attucks killed
the crowd had gotten out of control by that point, more and more people had gathered and were taking part
the whole town/citizens were infuriated about this event, they became tense
the soldiers involved (including Captain Preston) were put on trial for murder
John Adams (second president, believed that even the enemy should have the opportunity to be judged fairly) and Josiah Quincy defended the soldiers
Samuel Adams (cousin of John) thought it was disloyal to the country to defend the soldiers and he openly called it the Boston Massacre
two men were found guilty of manslaughter (killed men without intention) and had their thumbs branded
Captain Preston and other soldiers were found innocent

--Katherine Lynn, student at Noble and Greenough School
--Class of 2000
--history teacher: Michael Denning

Sources Used/Interesting Links