Questions and Answers
Who was the man who wanted to take a sign off a store on February 22, 1770?
What was the event that occurred on March 5, 1770?
Why did the crowd think they could tease the British soldiers?
How many colonists died in the Boston Massacre?
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What was the age of the boy killed by Ebenezer Richardson?
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What event on March 5, 1770, contributed to the growing sentiment of independence from Britain among the 13 colonies?
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What was the main purpose of the Townshend Acts?
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What was the response of many colonists to the Townshend Acts?
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Why did Britain send soldiers to Boston in 1768?
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What was the result of having many soldiers in Boston?
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Study Notes
The Boston Massacre
- The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770, in Boston, Massachusetts, when British troops shot at a group of people, killing five of them.
- This event happened before America gained independence, when the king of Britain controlled 13 colonies in what is now part of the United States.
Background to the Massacre
- The British government introduced the Townshend Acts, a set of laws to collect taxes from colonists on goods like glass, paper, and tea.
- Colonists protested the taxes by boycotting these goods, damaging property, and harassing British government officials.
- In October 1768, Britain sent soldiers to Boston to maintain order, but their presence increased tensions.
Events Leading Up to the Massacre
- On February 22, 1770, Ebenezer Richardson killed an 11-year-old boy while trying to remove a protest sign from a store.
- This incident escalated tensions between British soldiers and colonists, with rumors spreading that a major conflict was imminent.
- Less than two weeks later, the Boston Massacre occurred.
The Boston Massacre
- On March 5, 1770, a group of angry colonists gathered at the Boston Customs House, where a single British soldier was stationed.
- The crowd taunted the soldier, and Captain Thomas Preston arrived with a small group of armed soldiers to intervene.
- The crowd, aware that the soldiers had been ordered not to fire, threw objects at them and teased them.
- One soldier fired, and others followed, killing five colonists.
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Description
Learn about the Boston Massacre, a pivotal event in American history that led to growing tensions between the 13 colonies and Britain, ultimately contributing to the American Revolution.
