The Boston Massacre was the result of the colonists' frustration with British policies after the French and Indian War ended in 1763. They disliked Parliament's active involvement, and hated the presence of British soldiers, who seemed to be policing the colonists. They also resented the numerous attempts at taxation, such as the Sugar Act and Stamp Act, which Parliament tried to impose on them without their consent. When Parliament would not listen to their verbal protests, the expressions of their discontent became violent. Eventually, the Boston Massacre exploded onto the Boston political scene, and brought the colonies closer to revolution.
Taxation without Representation
Colonists were surprised when large numbers of British troops remained …show more content…
Great Britain took advantage of the trading relationship with the colonies to gain an edge over other European competitors. They forced the colonists to send their abundance of raw materials to Britain where it would be manufactured into products. This relationship was further strained when Britain forced the colonists to pay taxes on the products made in Britain. Prime Minister George Grenville and his government began instituting these taxes in 1763. Customs officials had the ability to call on local and military police to enforce the …show more content…
On March 5, 1770, Private Hugh White was doing his duty as a sentry in Boston's King Street, just a block away from the customs house. A young boy began to pester White. The soldier knocked the boy down with the butt of his musket. That drew an angry crowd, which grew as shouting brought more people near. White backed himself up against the customshouse door and tried to go in. When he could not, he stood his ground and raised his gun in defense. The mob continued to grow, shouting threats at him. They began to gather anything that could be used as a weapon, including snowballs from the foot of snow that lay on the ground. White cried out for help, which brought Captain Thomas Preston and his seven soldiers. Together, they tried to peaceably keep the crowd under control; but someone in the mob struck a redcoat hard enough to make the soldier drop his gun. As people dove to pick it up, the gun went off. Hearing the shots, the other soldiers began firing until Preston stopped them. Two of the colonists died on site while three others died soon after. One of the first men to fall was Cripus Atticus, an
Taxation without Representation
Colonists were surprised when large numbers of British troops remained …show more content…
Great Britain took advantage of the trading relationship with the colonies to gain an edge over other European competitors. They forced the colonists to send their abundance of raw materials to Britain where it would be manufactured into products. This relationship was further strained when Britain forced the colonists to pay taxes on the products made in Britain. Prime Minister George Grenville and his government began instituting these taxes in 1763. Customs officials had the ability to call on local and military police to enforce the …show more content…
On March 5, 1770, Private Hugh White was doing his duty as a sentry in Boston's King Street, just a block away from the customs house. A young boy began to pester White. The soldier knocked the boy down with the butt of his musket. That drew an angry crowd, which grew as shouting brought more people near. White backed himself up against the customshouse door and tried to go in. When he could not, he stood his ground and raised his gun in defense. The mob continued to grow, shouting threats at him. They began to gather anything that could be used as a weapon, including snowballs from the foot of snow that lay on the ground. White cried out for help, which brought Captain Thomas Preston and his seven soldiers. Together, they tried to peaceably keep the crowd under control; but someone in the mob struck a redcoat hard enough to make the soldier drop his gun. As people dove to pick it up, the gun went off. Hearing the shots, the other soldiers began firing until Preston stopped them. Two of the colonists died on site while three others died soon after. One of the first men to fall was Cripus Atticus, an