 |
 |
 |
Taxation and other issues continued to build tension between Britain and the colonies. This tension showed between the colonists and the British soldiers posted in Boston. The townspeople resented the soldiers and treated them poorly, often harassing them verbally and physically. On the night of March 5, 1770, the tension burst.
On this Page: |
Other related pages: |
The Boston Massacre |
|
| On the evening of March 5,
1770, Private Hugh White was on guard in front of the
Customs House on King Street in Boston. A crowd of people
had gathered and began harassing the soldier. His calls
for help brought nine soldiers led by Captain Thomas
Preston. The crowd continued to harass the soldiers with
insults, and were throwing snowballs at them. In the commotion, someone yelled, "Fire!" and soldiers began shooting. Three townspeople were killed and eight more were wounded, two of which died later. No one knew who gave the order to fire. After the shooting, the people of Boston were demanding the soldiers be tried and executed for the shootings. The governor ordered Captain Preston and eight soldiers be put in prison pending a trial. As a result of the trial, Captain Preston and six soldiers were set free. Two of the soldiers were found guilty of manslaughter. They were branded as convicts and then released. |
 Customs House on King Street in Boston (Source: Library of Congress) |
The Boston Massacre Monument |
|
| A monument stands in Boston in memory of those that died in the Boston Massacre. They were the first to die for the cause later to be called the American Revolution. |  |
Books about the American Revolution |
|
| Books on the American Revolution |
Other links on the American Revolution |
|
| Links on the American Revolution | |
|
Copyright © 1998-2010 Kidport |
